Jan. 10, 1979 -- Opposition forces are combining their wits and strength in an attempt to block a license application for a Winona Lake package liquor store.

A delegation representing the Women's Christian Temperance Union and concerned residents appeared at the Winona Lake Town Board meeting Tuesday night to discuss the news sweeping the lakefront about a liquor license application submitted to the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission in November.

Twenty-one residents and the trustees, all vehemently opposed to opening a liquor store inside the town's corporate limits, questioned the constitutionality of the license application submitted to the state ABC by Sonny Nellans, Rt. 7, Warsaw.

James Walmer, the town's attorney, said he believes state ABC members can grant one package liquor license per 5,000 population in a town. The counselor said he will research the law. If that point is accurate, the attorney questioned whether Winona Lake is eligible for a package liquor store license since the town's population was 2,811 when the 1970 census was taken.

Jan. 11, 1979 -- Recent finanical problems at Warsaw's Cardinal Center have forced severe cutbacks to keep the local rehabilitation center open.

Five weeks after his appointment as executive director, Michael Martin has had to trim the staff by nine and close the Cardinal Boutique on East Smith Street.

"The layoffs will allow us to maintain operation through the end of the year," he said. "If not, we would have had to increase our short term debt to the local banks."

Affected by the cutback are the three boutique supervisors, a habilitation program coordinator, an office clerk, two preschool aides, a psychometrist and a receptionist. With salaries totaling $76,146, the projected savings through the rest of the fiscal year 1979 will be $32,823.

Feb. 2, 1979 -- Kosciusko County's architect has unveiled a preliminary site plan for a $4.1 million jail-court facility in downtown Warsaw.

County commissioners and councilmen discussed the site plan with architect Robert Cain, of Cain Associates Architects, Kalamazoo, Mich., Thursday in the courthouse.

Cain proposes construction of a two-story, 26,000-square-foot jail facing Washington Street and backed by a two-story, 36,000-square-foot court complex at the corner of Lake and Main streets. A tunnel under Lake Street might connect the complex to the existing courthouse.

The commissioners have taken no action on the proposal.

Feb. 6, 1979 -- A two-story brick building remembered by many as the headquarters of an auto dealership and clothing factory in downtown Warsaw will come to an end of an era under a wrecking ball next month.

Kosciusko County Commissioners Maurice Dorsey, Gerald Smalley and Fredrick Gilliam opened three bids and awarded a contract Monday for the demolition of the Blue Bell-Hartsock building at the corner of Lake and Main streets.

Feb. 7, 1979 -- First to file papers declaring his candidacy today, Paul E. (Mike) Hodges, 1809 Lincoln Drive, will seek an unprecedented fifth term as mayor of Warsaw.

Feb. 12, 1979 -- Mrs. James E. (Ruth Rodeheaver) Thomas, 81, of Rainbow Point, 1300 Court St., Winona Lake, well-known singer and voice coach, died at 12:45 p.m. Sunday at the Mason Health Care Facility. Death was due to complications following an extended illness.

Feb. 15, 1979 -- Warsaw Mayor H. Dale Tucker made it clear that he will run for re-election to a second four-year term, when he filed his declaration of candidacy with county clerk N. Jean Messmore Wednesday afternoon.

The 56-year-old Democrat, of 1017 Country Club Road, defeated former mayor Paul E. (Mike) Hodges by more than 400 votes in the 1975 city election. Hodges filed a week ago to seek the office for an unprecedented fifth term.

Feb. 15, 1979 -- Winona Lake residents have quenched their thirst on lake water for many years, but may be able to "wet their whistles" on alcoholic beverages at the turn of the decade.

Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Board members set a precedent Wednesday voting 2-1 in favor of a liquor, beer and wine dealer license for Sonny Jay Nellans, Rt. 7, Warsaw. He proposes to open Nellans Wholesale Liquors, a package store, in a building on the east side of the Lakeview Shopping Center, 100 feet inside the corporate limits of Winona Lake --a town that has been "dry" since it was founded.

Ninety-one local residents, consisting of 43 remonstrators and 32 persons supporting the applicant, packed the commissioners' room in the basement of the Kosciusko County Courthouse for a local hearing. Attorney James L. Walmer, who represented the Winona Lake Town Board, was quick to point out that only two of the 32 persons making an appearance on behalf of Nellans were Winona Lake residents.

Petitions were submitted by both the remonstrators and Nellans. Letters were also submitted by Winona Lake church officials and residents protesting the granting of a liquor license inside the town's corporate limit.

Feb. 28, 1979 -- Former Indiana State Sen. John F. Augsburger, 73, of Tempe, Ariz., died of complications following a three-month illness at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Hospital, Tucson, Ariz.

A lifetime resident of Milford and Lake Wawasee, he was owner and operator of Augsburger's Super Markets at Milford, Syracuse and North Webster. Elected to the Indiana State Senate from District 13 in 1968, he served two terms. His son, John B. Augsburger, of Syracuse, now serves in that capacity.

Feb. 28, 1979 -- The Warsaw Community High School Jazz Band No. 1 received a first division rating at the State Jazz Band Contest at Fort Wayne Snider High School last Saturday.

The band entered in Group I category, which is judged as the most difficult classification.

Members of the jazz band are: Bill Wise, Floie Stouder, Carolyn Daghlian, Marsha Wise, Tim McConnell, saxophones; Greg Stevens, Kraig Doub, Julia Zimmerman, Robin Town, Liz Scott, trumpets; Scott Kantenwein, Mark Conley, Rick Myers, Russ Baldwin, trombones; Steve Lovelady, bass; Scott Huffer, drums; Linda Nice and Jill Frush, piano and vibes.

March 2, 1979 -- Different ideas "kicked around" in recent months by county officials and an architect are starting to jell toward the construction of a new county jail-court facility.

The Kosciusko County Council and the commissioners agreed Thursday to purchase another property in the downtown Warsaw business district -- finalizing the fifth real estate deal within six months.

Councilmen Thomas Anglin, Ronald Sharp, Larry Teghtmeyer, Eldred Metzger and Norman DeGood approved an ordinance authorizing the commissioners to purchase the home of Cleon D. and Iris V. Overmeyer, at 221 W. Main St., Warsaw, for $80,000.

March 2, 1979 -- Jeffrey W. Plank, 31, of 602 Lincoln Drive, Warsaw, declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for city councilman from the First District Thursday.

March 3, 1979 -- For the second time within a week, Warsaw Community School Corp. has been charged in a lawsuit with violation of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and the press.

Two Warsaw Community High School seniors, Anne Summe and Jeri Grisso, sued Warsaw School Board, Superintendent Dr. Charles F. Bragg and high school principal Ray Green for an order in U.S. District Court, South Bend, Thursday to resume publication of the student newspaper.

The suit alleges school officials are violating the First Amendment rights of the students by refusing to permit publication of the student newspaper, Kontac, and reviewing student contributions to the "Tiger Alive" news pages published by the Times-Union.

On Friday, Feb. 23, a former high school business teacher, JoAnn DuPont, sued the school corporation over her firing by the school board last spring. One part of DuPont's suit also claimed that school officials had violated her First Amendment right to free speech by firing her after she spoke out and wrote a letter to the editor of the Times-Union about textbook censorship.

March 15, 1979 -- Bubbling with enthusiasm, a "newcomer" to the community has conversed with local residents and finds Warsaw "very unique" because of the positive remarks made by the citizenry.

That "newcomer" will one day be promoting Warsaw as a unique community with friendly residents and, of course, a town that continues to grow.

The "newcomer," Deborah A. Green, 26, of Michigan City, has been employed as the new executive vice president of the Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce. She will assume her new duties April 2.

March 16, 1979 -- Action taken at a recent meeting of the Whitko School Board may cause an unfair labor practice suit against the school corporation by the Whitko Classroom Teachers Association.

WCTA president Thomas Dilling said the addition of George Hathaway as athletic director in the March 1 meeting of the school board was in violation of Public Law Article 5, which says the teachers' negotiation team has the right of input into any position affecting teachers.

March 22, 1979 -- The Otis R. Bowen Center For Human Services Board has taken steps to initiate suits against three counties that have not provided the proper funding required by law.

Within the next several weeks, lawsuits against Kosciusko, Huntington and Wabash counties will be filed, requiring them to pay a minimum of 4 cents property tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation. The counties are required by law to provide funds to the center in at least that amount. They may pay up to a 10 cent tax rate.

March 23, 1979 -- A sixth-grade Washington School pupil "beat the odds" and returned for the final round of the spelling bee defeating his elder --the junior high champ -- in this year's annual county competition.

Andy Camp, the 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Camp, 1717 Briarwood Drive, Warsaw, beat out Mary Parke, the 14-year-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Parke, 1216 Country Club Drive, Warsaw.

March 23, 1979 -- Violations of First Amendment rights are cited in a third lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, South Bend, against Warsaw Community School Corp.

Brooke Zykan, a junior at Warsaw Community High School, and her brother, Blair, who graduated from the school last year, filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday that asks the court to order the following: that curriculum changes made by the school board be reversed and returned to the status quo; restoration to classroom and library use the former textbooks "Values Clarification," "The Stepford Wives," "Go Ask Alice," "The Bell Jar" and "Growing Up Female In America"; that the school desist from interfering with using books in Warsaw classrooms; and that school authorities be restrained from removing any books and changing curriculum until a "reasonable and impartial" procedure for such future action has been formulated.

In their complaint, titled "Academic Freedom," the Zykans allege that school officials violated the First Amendment rights of students at the high school by banning books and removing courses from the curriculum.

March 24, 1979 -- Teresa Burnau, a former Warsaw teacher, Friday filed suit in U.S. District Court, Fort Wayne, against Warsaw School Corporation and two officers, saying her contract was not renewed in a dispute over books used in her class.

Burnau, who now lives in Fort Wayne, seeks $50,000 in damages, reinstatement and back pay from the Warsaw Community Schools and from C.J. Smith, former principal of Warsaw High School, and George Gilbert, assistant school superintendent.

Her lawsuit is the fourth filed against the school corporation in federal courts over the past few weeks. Each of the suits claims the school board or other school officials violated the First Amendment rights of the plaintiffs.

March 28, 1979 -- The Warsaw Community High School theater department will present "Inherit The Wind" April 20-21.

According to director Becky White, the play is a dramatization of the famous Scopes monkey trial, which took place in July 1925.

The cast of 64 players was announced March 12. Matthew Harrison Brady, the renowned evangelist, is played by Tom Heckman. Bertram Cates, the teacher on trial, is portrayed by Doug Harman. Rachel Brown, his fellow school teacher and potential girlfriend, will be played by Vondria Andrews.

April 3, 1979 -- When Debra J. Wright, Rt. 1, Barbee Lake, checked into Kosciusko Community Hospital Monday, she knew her family was going to expand .. it wasn't until just after midnight this morning she found out just how much.

Wright gave birth to triplets, beginning at 12:21 this morning -- the first triplets born in the three-year existence of KCH and believed to be the first triple birth in nearly three decades in Warsaw.

The two baby girls and baby boy, along with the mother, are all healthy, and a hospital spokesman says daddy Dennis Wright is simply walking around with a very large smile.

"They knew they were going to have twins," assistant administrative supervisor Dee Yoder said this morning, "but not triplets. That came as a big surprise to everyone --doctor included."

Dr. Richard Galbreath supervised the delivery of the babies --Danielle, Darlene and Darrell.

April 6, 1979 -- Kosciusko County officials took a giant step toward a new jail-court facility Thursday by approving preliminary plans for the $5.3 million structure.

County councilmen Norman DeGood, Ronald Sharp, Thomas Anglin, Keith Horn, Larry Teghtmeyer and Eldred Metzger voted unanimously to approve the general concept of a preliminary building plan presented by Bob Cain, of Cain Associates Architects, Kalamazoo, Mich.

April 13, 1979 -- Indiana Civil Liberties Union has joined the dispute over censoring of library books, texts and a newspaper in Warsaw schools because of the clear challenge to First Amendment rights, the organization's executive director said Thursday.

"I've never seen quite so many censorship problems altogether in one place," Barbara Williamson told a news conference at the ICLU's Indianapolis headquarters.

ICLU volunteer attorneys last month filed two suits in U.S. District Court at South Bend against the Warsaw Community School Corp. board of trustees and superintendent and the principal of Warsaw Community High School.

April 14, 1979 -- Two prominent Kosciusko County business and community leaders are dead as the result of heart problems.

H.E. (Bus) Bledsoe, owner and operator of Bledsoe Buick-Pontiac Auto Sales, died at 3 p.m. Friday at Kosciusko Community Hospital. Bledsoe, 72, had been a patient at KCH since Tuesday evening, when he was admitted following a heart attack.

At 3 a.m. today, Marshall Estep, 69, a retired farmer, owner of Estep Trucking Co. and a member of the board of directors of Kosciusko Community Hospital, died of heart failure at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He had undergone surgery about a week ago.

April 16, 1979 -- Plans have been completed and bids will soon be opened for construction of the combination boys' club, girls' club and day care center north of Camp Lucerne on North Park Avenue, Warsaw.

Camp Lucerne, which is owned by the St. Meinrad School of Theology, is in the process of being acquired by the city of Warsaw through condemnation.

April 25, 1979 -- Warsaw's veteran pharmacist, Frank E. Brennan, 85, of 1115 E. Market St., Warsaw, died at 5:20 a.m. today at Prairie View Rest Home. He had been in failing health the past four years. Brennan practiced pharmacy for 67 years.

April 30, 1979 -- The wheels of democracy turned in favor of the silent majority last week when three Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission members voted to disapprove a license application for a proposed package liquor store in Winona Lake.

Sonny Jay Nellans, Rt. 7, Warsaw, submitted an application for a liquor, beer and wine dealer license to the state ABC late last year. After the state commissioners had processed the application, it was sent to the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Board for consideration. Local board members voted 2-1 in favor of recommending approval to the state commission in February.

The applicant was proposing to open Nellans Wholesale Liquors, a package store, in a building on the east side of Lakeview Shopping Center, 100 feet inside the corporate limits of Winona Lake. He was planning to open the business at the present site of Lakeview Laundromat, at 2228 E. Winona Ave., Winona Lake.

April 30, 1979 --Twenty-eight wild ducks that once swam along the shores of Winona Lake no longer waddle in front of traffic or feast on the bread crumbs tossed by nature lovers.

There's good reason. The ducks were found dead in the water near the beach owned by the Winona Lake Bible Conference, at the corner of Winona Avenue and Argonne Road, approximately six weeks ago. Indiana conservation officers believe that a polluting substance caused the deaths.

Their feathers were stained with a black, oily substance that is spewing into Winona Lake from a storm drainage pipe. The open end of that pipe leads from the industrialized section on the east side of Warsaw to Winona Lake in front of the Lakeside Marina, which is only 500 feet west of Winona Beach.

May 7, 1979 -- No suspects have been apprehended in the murder of a Marion man and the wounding of another in a bloody clash between several members of two northern Indiana motorcycle gangs on a southeastern Kosciusko County farm Saturday night.

Lonnie D. Brannen, 28, of 38th Street, Marion, died of gunshot wounds to the stomach at Wabash County Hospital Saturday night. Steven G. White, 26, of 4829 E. CR 100S, Marion, suffered gunshot wounds to the left side of the face and pelvis. He is in fair condition at the Wabash County Hospital today. They are both members of the "Outlaws" motorcycle gang from Marion.

An estimated 200 to 300 young persons had gathered at the Hoosier Haven Campground, also known as Camp Liberty, on the banks of the Eel River, for an all-night rock concert and motorcycle race. Youths from different Indiana towns began arriving at 7 p.m. on the J.P. Freeman farm, one mile north of Liberty Mills at the intersection of Eel River Road and CR 600E in Kosciusko County.

The majority of the concert-goers were members of the "Caretakers," the "Outlaws" and the "Invaders" motorcycle gangs, which are based in Goshen, Marion and Valparaiso, respectively. They came to listen to "The Gods," a rock band reportedly from the Warsaw area.

May 8, 1979 -- Ground-breaking for the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum in Mentone last night kicked off one phase of a two-phase building program to house the personal aviation and space-related artifacts of Mentone's famous native son, Lawrence D. Bell.

Historical items will be housed in the first building. A second building will be added later to house aircraft and other large items. The complex will be located near the Mentone park in the southwest corner of town.

May 14, 1979 -- Warsaw Community High School prom king is Joe Nelson; prom queen is Coleen Kealey.

May 15, 1979 -- The first break in the 3-1/2-month-old murder investigation of Bourbon businessman Claude (Murph) Yarian, 68, came today following the arrest of four men.

Three jailed at Plymouth Monday were Larry Perkins, 20, Rt. 5, Plymouth; Duane Schuh, 25, Box, 9, Etna Green; and Larry Williams, 21, of 312 Harrison St., Plymouth. A fourth man, George Redman, 21, of 305 E. Shaffer St., Bourbon, was picked up by police Friday night and lodged in the Kosciusko County Jail to purportedly isolate him from the other suspects being jailed in Marshall County.

Yarian, long-time owner and operator of Yarian's store in Bourbon, was gunned down as he approached his home on North Main Street early on the morning of March 6. Authorities said Yarian was killed by a shotgun blast to the upper abdomen.

Police said Yarian had closed his general store about midnight and drove, with his wife, Ann, to their home seven blocks north of the town's business district. Mrs. Yarian reportedly remained in the car while her husband approached the residence to unlock the door and turn on the lights. As Yarian walked on the north side of the home, he was met by his assailant.

May 15, 1979 -- Wholesale fuel distributors and service station owners in Kosciusko County are closing their businesses earlier each day and some have resorted to closing on Sundays in an effort to stretch limited gasoline supplies, but most say they will continue to pump gasoline during the four-day nationwide boycott.

The long lines and government rationing plans in southern California may only be one month away in Indiana, local gasoline suppliers claim.

"We've always believed we've lived in a land of plenty," but many are finding that is not true, commented J.C. (Mac) Silveus, president of Silveus and Bradway Oil Co. Inc., Warsaw.

May 16, 1979 -- A Marshall County grand jury has recommended the death penalty for three men indicted Tuesday for the March 6 murder of Bourbon businessman Claude (Murph) Yarian, 68.

Held without bond in the Marshall County jail at Plymouth are Larry Perkins, 20, Rt. 5, Plymouth; Duane Schuh, 25, Box 9, Etna Green; and Larry Williams, 21, of 312 Harrison St., Plymouth. They were indicted on charges of felony murder, conspiracy and armed robbery, and the Marshall Superior Court grand jurors recommended the death penalty under the new Indiana felony/murder statute.

A fourth man, George Redman, 21, of 305 E. Shaffer St., Bourbon, was not indicted by the grand jury and remains in custody in the jail here on a charge of conspiracy to commit burglary.

June 1, 1979 -- Warsaw's city park system was officially enlarged recently by presentation to the city of the final portion of the Kiwanis Community Park on East Smith Street by the Kiwanis Club of Warsaw. A deed for lots numbered 50, 51, 52 and 53 in Beyers South Park Addition, at the corner of East Smith Street and Hillside Drive, was presented to Mayor H. Dale Tucker and fellow Board of Works members Fred Boggs and Don Bixelby. It terminated more than 10 years of effort and expense by the club to develop that area into an aesthetic spot for the community.

June 9, 1979 -- A Winona Lake youth has a special birthday wish.

Fifteen-year-old Brenda Evans, of 201 14th Street, Apt. 3, Winona Lake, is hoping that doctors will find a donor so they can transplant at least one kidney. She would like to have a kidney before her 16th birthday Aug. 28.

Although physicians have not diagnosed Brenda's disorder, her heart and both kidneys failed March 24. Surgeons removed both kidneys in a delicate operation that day at a Fort Wayne hospital. The small-framed teen had been experiencing headaches for three years and then she became seriously ill last September. Since then, the condition of her health has declined.

Both Brenda and her 40-year-old mother, Myrtle Evans, were informed that blood transfusions must begin today.

June 16, 1979 -- A group of Backwater Lake residents have charged Kosciusko County police with illegal search and seizure and brutality in connection with a beer party bust in their neighborhood a week ago today.

Sheriff C. Alan Rovenstine, in response, denied one allegation and said an investigation has started in the other.

Twelve neighborhood residents gathered at the home of Max and Brenda Snyder, Rt. 1, North Webster, Thursday night to discuss what they contend was a raid on an "orderly" beer party last Saturday night. The complaining residents were all adults, and until the police arrived shortly around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, most were not in attendance at the party.

Six of the Backwater Lake residents said they witnessed a county police officer hit a youth in the rib cage three to four times with a long, heavy flashlight while two policemen held the prisoner. Three of six firmly identified the officer as County Patrolman Tom Brindle, and charged it was an act of "police brutality."

"I thought they were going to kill him," Snyder commented. "It was uncalled for," Mrs. Becky Ousley added. "It really scared me to death," shuddered Sue Davis, who owns the property where the two-day party was held.

Rovenstine, in an interview Friday afternoon, admitted, "I am aware that happened. We are investigating it." The sheriff was not at the scene last week, but has talked to several of his officers who were. Asked what action, if any, would be taken, he said, "At this time, I don't know."

The neighbors allege the incident occurred after County Police Lt. Rich Mikel began to confiscate one keg of beer for evidence. As he started to drag it toward the road, several party-goers cried in protest and began tossing cups of beer (police said it was also cans and bottles, but the neighbors disagree).

Rick Allen Waite, 22, of Syracuse, and Timothy Wayne Beining, 21, of Ligonier, were apparently most resistant. The neighbors allege while a party-goer they didn't recognize (believed to be Beining) was being dragged toward a squad car by two officers (Mikel and Richard Monk), Brindle approached from the front and struck him three or four times in the ribs with his flashlight, then pulled him onto the road.

Five juveniles and four young adults, plus the keg of beer, were placed in police cars and taken to the jail. Two others were booked at the county jail later in the week.

June 20, 1979 -- "Stay at home!" is Pacer Oil supervisor Earl Shull's warning to weekend motorists in the face of a nationwide truckers' strike, which has blockaded oil terminals and virtually paralyzed northern Indiana.

The problem seems to have arrived in Warsaw, as most local fuel dealers report dwindling supplies while some are already without gasoline.

Shull's Red Comet station had cut back hours Tuesday to 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., but didn't know if they would be able to open Wednesday. "We've got gas if we can get it here," he says.

Shull has not received any gas since last Wednesday and says he doesn't expect any until the truckers move.

June 25, 1979 -- An alleged scandal involving some Multi-Township EMS personnel and city and county police officers, which has been "swept under the rug" for months by three members of the Multi-Township Board of Directors, was aired publicly Saturday night at the Leesburg Fire Station.

Plain Township Trustee Donald J. Boggs said he has been told that some emergency medical technicians, county policemen and Warsaw police officers have engaged in sexual relations while they were both on and off duty.

June 28, 1979 -- Tempers flared Wednesday night at the regular meeting of the Multi-Township EMS as some board members and MTEMS personnel attacked board member Donald Boggs for his public remarks concerning an alleged alcohol/sex scandal involving Multi-Township EMS personnel.

Putting into the theory that the best defense is a good offense, many of the pro-MTEMS crowd chastised Boggs for his statements and spoke highly of the Multi-Township organization in the lengthy meeting.

Dr. Richard Galbreath, medical director of MTEMS, charged the allegations were "irresponsible and unfounded."

July 5, 1979 -- Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service will be minus one township and its $25,000 share of funding by the first of the year.

By a 4-0 vote, the Plain Township Advisory Board Tuesday morning agreed to dissolve its membership in MTEMS as of Dec. 31, 1979. Plain Township may leave the service even earlier, if --in the words of the meeting's minutes --"terms of a contract can be worked out for the balance of the 13.3 percent due the corporation (Plain Township's share of MTEMS budget)."

The vote comes after rumors of sex and alcohol misconduct allegedly involving both on- and off-duty emergency medical technicians have raged.

July 6, 1979 -- Following the suspension of a policeman this week by the City Board of Works for "conduct unbecoming an officer," Multi-Township Medical Director Dr. Richard Galbreath contends city officials have not "told the complete story" regarding the officer's involvement with an MTEMS employee.

July 9, 1979 -- A growing wave of discontent among county Republicans and the GOP leadership, rumored for several months, surfaced publicly today when party chairman Edwin Pratt was asked to immediately resign or be replaced.

County councilman and former two-term sheriff Carl L. Latta angrily charged that Pratt must be replaced if the Republican Party in Kosciusko County is to survive.

A lifelong Republican, Latta contends Republicans have been embarrassed by Pratt's handling of a contribution to the GOP from a known gambler last November and by his failure to act decisively during the recent Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service scandal. Pratt, as Wayne Township Trustee, is a member of the MTEMS board.

July 10, 1979 -- The residents of Leesburg, currently paying for membership to both the Multi-Township EMS and the Milford EMS, will belong to only one Emergency Medical Service in 1980.

The Leesburg Town Board unanimously voted to dissolve membership in the Multi-Township EMS service and use only the Milford EMS.

July 11, 1979 -- Biomet Inc., the newest full-line manufacturer of orthopedic devices, began operations south of Warsaw in December 1977, and has dramatically succeeded in topping the goals set by its founders.

The company produces reconstructive devices for both the hip and knee, and has current development projects under way for systems that will facilitate reconstruction of the shoulder, elbow and ankle. Dr. Dane A. Miller, Biomet's president, added that many of the manufactured implants incorporate distinctively Biomet-designed improvements and innovations, all of which have been accepted by the medical marketplace.

The company provides a complete product line of fixation devices such as bone plates and screws that aid the orthopedic surgeon when treating broken bones. "And we are particularly pleased," Miller continued, "with the acceptance of our new concentric hex, which is a device that is used to treat broken hips."

July 20, 1979 -- Miller & Sons, which has been in Silver Lake since the mid-1940s, announced plans to open a Home Center in Warsaw to be able to further serve their customer needs.

The company began in 1943, when Chester Miller and his sons purchased the Silver Lake Lumber Co. and founded Miller and Sons.

July 31, 1979 -- Dennis Tucker and Ann Lash will reign over the 63rd Kosciusko County Fair this week after being selected 4-H King and Queen during the 4-H tenure awards program in the Warsaw Community High School auditorium last night.

Aug. 6, 1979 -- Amy Speicher, competing as Miss Milford, today proudly wears the crown as 1979 Kosciusko County Fair Queen following her coronation at the conclusion of the 63rd fair Saturday night. The 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lew Speicher, Milford, Amy is a student at Wawasee High School.

Aug. 10, 1979 -- Beginning Monday, the Times-Union will join some 500 other publications across the country in presenting "Doonesbury" by Garry Trudeau, one of the most popular and controversial comic strips going.

Aug. 11, 1979 -- Citing what he labeled "very little incentive for people to work," Fourth District Congressman Dan Quayle called for an anti-recession tax cut during a campaign stop in Warsaw Friday afternoon.

Quayle, the 32-year-old second term Republican from Huntington, has been stumping the state since May 14, when he announced he would seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Birch Bayh.

Aug. 18, 1979 -- A North Manchester man was found guilty of dealing in pornographic literature involving minors, a Class D felony, by Special Judge Robert Kinsey of Kokomo, in Wabash Friday afternoon in Wabash Circuit Court.

William F. Smith, 41, was arrested Sept. 6, 1978, after an 11-month joint investigation by the North Manchester Police Department, the Indianapolis Police Department, the Los Angeles City Police and the FBI. A search of his home and auto uncovered 25,000 pictures depicting nude minors and assorted amateur photographic equipment.

Aug. 22, 1979 -- The Kosciusko County Bar Association will recommend that Gov. Otis R. Bowen appoint Kosciusko County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney James C. Jarrette as the new Kosciusko County Court judge to fill the judicial post vacated by Loren K. Collier this month.

Aug. 22, 1979 -- In 10 months or less, residents of the city of Warsaw will need to dial only 911 in case of emergency.

The 911 program, quickly spreading in communities throughout the nation, will come to Warsaw after the city's Board of Public Works and Safety signed a contract with United Telephone Systems during its regular meeting Tuesday.

Aug. 30, 1979 -- Al Disbro has been named media specialist for the United Way 1979 campaign.

As media specialist, Disbro will be responsible for creating and assembling the slide presentation telling the United Way story. Disbro is employed as a loan officer at Lake City Bank.

Sept. 1, 1979 -- University of Maryland doctors completed the first successful operation to replace a lower spine early today after 19 grueling hours of surgery to implant an artificial metal spine in a semi-paralyzed woman. The device was manufactured by Zimmer-USA, headquartered in Warsaw.

Jessie Thomas, was listed in good condition. The operation, the first of its kind to replace a lumbar spine, provided Thomas with an artificial spine to replace her missing lower spine and protect her spinal cord.

Sept. 4, 1979 -- Recalling the day that he was aboard the first Lear jet to land at the Warsaw Airport years ago, U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.) told a crowd of local residents during an airport "reopening" Saturday that it is "a different place" today.

Sept. 5, 1979 -- James C. Jarrette, 31, of 300-1/2 East Main St., Warsaw, became Kosciusko County Court judge following an informal swearing in ceremony early Tuesday morning. The oath of office was administered by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Gene B. Lee in his courthouse chambers.

Gov. Otis R. Bowen, appointed Jarrette to the position late last week, following the recommendation of the Kosciusko County Bar Association.

Sept. 5, 1979 -- Scott and Anjie Christoffel, Warsaw brother and sister team, took first place in the recent disco contest at Clara's Pizza King on East Winona Avenue. All winners include Jim Davies, Adrienne McBride, Scott Christoffel, Jeff Fosser, Anjie Christoffel, Kelly Stodder, Janie Shealy and Mike Walls.

Sept. 12, 1979 -- Warsaw's 1967 "Man of the Year" Dr. John R. Baum, 81, of 305 Seventh St., Winona Lake, died at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at Kosciusko Community Hospital. He had been in failing health for several years.

Of his nearly 50 years in medicine, 46 of these were spent in practice in Warsaw.

Sept. 19, 1979 -- Brenda Evans, the 16-year-old Winona Lake girl who had both her kidneys removed in March, is in Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis recovering from a kidney transplant operation Monday.

Evans underwent the delicate operation Monday and is recovering at the hospital. Dr. Thomas Conley, from the V.A. Hospital, said Evans will be hospitalized for a lengthy period of time. However, he said, "She is doing very nicely."

Sept. 28, 1979 -- A federal court judge has ruled in favor of Warsaw Schools and administrators in a suit filed by two students last March over publication of the student newspaper "Kontac."

U.S. District Judge Allen Sharp issued a summary judgment dismissing the action against the Warsaw School Board, Superintendent Dr. Charles F. Bragg and Warsaw Community High School Principal Ray Green in the South Bend federal court.

Anne Summe and Jeri Grisso, who were WCHS seniors when the class action suit was filed March 1 by South Bend attorney Jeanne J. Swartz, alleged that school officials violated their First Amendment rights of free speech and press by refusing to permit publication of the student newspaper "Kontac" and reviewing student contributions to the "Tiger Alive" pages in the Times-Union.

The suit became a moot question this fall when an adviser was named and plans were made to begin publishing "Kontac" again. School officials argued that the newspaper wasn't published last year because they were unable to find a teacher to act as adviser for the student publication.

The judge said that before the plaintiffs could proceed (in a federal court), they would have to "exhaust all remedies" available in the Indiana Student Due Process Code. Sharp dismissed the case and ordered each party to bear its own costs.

Oct. 3, 1979 -- For what is believed the first time in the history of Warsaw public schools, a superintendent has been forced to resign.

Warsaw School Board unanimously accepted the resignation of Dr. Charles F. Bragg in a special meeting at McKinley School Tuesday night. Also by unanimous vote, Freshman High School principal Dr. Larry Stinson was named acting superintendent through the end of the school year and Dr. Glenn Gambel, assistant principal at the high school, was tabbed to replace Stinson.

Oct. 11, 1979 -- It has been 25 years since the Council for the Retarded of Kosciusko County first sponsored classes in the area.

Until that time, mentally handicapped individuals were destined to lead purposeless lives in the care of their family or be sent to a state institution, where the conditions were often less than desirable.

In November 1954, the council was incorporated and classes were begun in the Milford home of Mrs. Robert Overstedt. Approximately 10 children, ranging in age from 3 to 11, attended the classes.

Oct. 24, 1979 -- One of several new teachers at Warsaw Community High School this year is Gary Nieter. Before coming to the high school, he taught art and consumer life at the Freshman High School. Here at WCHS, most of the students are very happy to have Nieter as their art teacher.

Nov. 7, 1979 -- P.E. (Mike), the man who boasts the "most unique record of any mayor in the state," is back in Warsaw's City Hall. And he did it in a most unique way.

Much as the halfback who runs 70 yards for a winning touchdown on the last play of the game, Republican Hodges snared the last reporting precinct to edge incument Democrat H. Dale Tucker by a mere 23 votes in the closest mayoral general election in the city's 125-year history.

Hodges ended up with 1,634 votes, or 43.8 percent of the 3,727 mayoral votes cast. Tucker's total was 1,611, or 43.2 percent, while Independent Howard (Sam) Holbrook was a distant third, with 482, or 12.9 percent.

Nov. 16, 1979 -- By unanimous vote, the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night approved an ordinance appropriating a $3 million general obligation bond for construction of a new courts-jail complex.

The historic vote came three weeks after the County Commissioners recommended approval of the bond issue and more than 95 years after the county appropriated some $197,000 for the current courthouse.

Nov. 17, 1979 -- Tippecanoe Valley senior Mark Shireman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Shireman, was the second Tippecanoe Valley football player in three years to win the Phil Eskew Award for mental attitude. He joins former Viking Ray (Rockhill) Secrist and becomes the seventh Class A recipient.

Dec. 1, 1979 -- Trips to Fort Wayne and South Bend to consult with bone and joint specialists will no longer be necessary for Kosciusko County residents.

An orthopedic surgeon, Thomas M. Krizmanich, M.D., will open an office in Warsaw and begin a full-time practice Dec. 17.

Dec. 5, 1979 -- For the second time in less than two months, the Warsaw Community School system has won its day in federal court.

U.S. District Court Judge Allen Sharp Tuesday dismissed a class action suit by Warsaw students Brooke and Blair Zykan against the school corporation and its Board of Trustees, stating the "complaint does not allege a violation of constitutionally protected activities."

The Zykans questioned the right of the school board and administration to ban textbooks, make curriculum changes and interfere with teachers' use of materials in connection with a class.

Judge Sharp, in his five-page opinion, said in essence that there definitely was such a right.

Dec. 12, 1979 -- Final testimony is set in South Bend today in a lawsuit filed by former Warsaw Community High School teacher JoAnn DuPont against the local school corporation, but the jury won't have to worry about any decisions.

U.S. District Court Judge Allen Sharp dismissed the panel of four men and four women Tuesday afternoon after attorneys for the school system and DuPont settled their differences out of the public courtroom on the issue of damages. The school agreed to pay an estimated $9,000, as opposed to the $50,000 sought in a Feb. 23 federal complaint.

DuPont, formerly a high school business instructor in Warsaw, alleged school administrators and the Board of Trustees had violated her First Amendment rights when she was fired from her position in March 1978. She maintains the board took the action because she publicly spoke out against the banning of textbooks and changing of curriculum. She also claims her involvement with the Warsaw Community Educators Association helped lead to her firing.

Dec. 13, 1979 -- P.E. (Mike) Hodges' attempt to block an election recount in Warsaw has been successful, at least for the time being.

The Indiana Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order or mandate Wednesday against the recount scheduled for Friday in Kosciusko Circuit Court. The recount challenges the Nov. 6 election for mayor.

Jan. 2, 1980 -- The distinction of being the first baby of the new year belongs to Larry Edward Manns Jr. Shown with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Edward Manns Sr., Larry Jr. made his appearance in Kosciusko Community Hospital at 3:13 a.m. Jan. 1. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces. The Manns reside on Rt. 4, Syracuse.

Feb. 4, 1980 -- Saying a federal court had no business becoming a "Super School Board," U.S. District Court Judge Allen Sharp has ruled in favor of the Warsaw Community Schools and its board of trustees in a censorship-related lawsuit filed by former business teacher JoAnn DuPont.

The 18-page decision, dated Jan. 31, was delivered today to attorneys for both sides.

March 10, 1980 -- A child's "natural death" has frustrated law enforcement officials in Warsaw and Kosciusko County.

Four-year-old Natali Mudd, of Warsaw, died last Wednesday. An investigation is continuing. Hers was the fourth possibly preventable death among members of the Faith Assembly Church, some of whom believe in spiritual instead of medical treatment for illness.

Natali was the daughter of Ron and Martha Mudd, of Warsaw. City police detective Paul Schmitt said she had a massive growth emerging from her right eye and covering most of her face.

Dr. Richard Pearson, Muncie, conducted an autopsy. His preliminary finding was the cancerous growth caused death. Schmitt said the Mudds told him they had noticed the eye problem two months ago, but had not sought medical treatment for Natali.

April 1, 1980 -- In a move that is causing smiles galores from both sides, the city of Warsaw has sold the sometimes leaky east side fire station to the Kosciusko Community YMCA, and remodeling will begin immediately to convert it into an eight-lane Olympic-size pool.

May 2, 1980 -- The sun broke out from behind a patch of clouds and seemed to smile on a large crowd that had gathered Thursday afternoon at the jail-court complex construction site for groundbreaking ceremonies in downtown Warsaw.

It was an exciting day for all county officials. Kosciusko County Commissioners Fredrick Gilliam, Maurice Dorsey and Gerald Smalley led the way in kicking off the building project when they awarded a contract to Wright Construction Co., Elkhart.

Kosciusko County Councilmen Thomas Anglin, Ronald Sharp, Larry Teghtmeyer, Carl Latta, Norman DeGood and Keith Horn were on hand when the commissioners signed the contract agreement with Wright Construction Co. Thursday afternoon.

June 2, 1980 -- A local businessman had a dream --to go west and start a boys' home on a ranch where there were lots of mountains and trees. He wanted to take in youngsters who had minor problems and help them get their lives straightened out.

That dream was just that --only a dream. But nearly 10 years ago he found it rearing its head, to surface as Riverwood Ranch, a group home for teenaged boys west of Warsaw.

It began when R.L. (Pete) Strayer learned that a farm along the Tippecanoe River west of town was for sale. "My wife and I looked at it and the minute we saw it, with the house sitting on one river bank and the barn on the other, we knew we wanted to buy it," recalls the businessman.

But the rest of the family wasn't as enthused. To their two children still living at home, their Springhill Acres residence was home. They didn't want to move to the farm.

So they rented out the house and had the land farmed until Mrs. Strayer reminded her husband of his dream of establishing a boys home.

July 1, 1980 -- By this time next year, Warsaw's downtown fire station will be some four blocks to the north on Canal Street, directly west of the Conley Oil Station and across the street from the Center Lake Park Pavilion.

That's the verdict from the city's Board of Public Works and Safety, which unanimously recommended the site during its regular meeting this morning. It came after a vigorous lobbying effort by representatives of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., who argued against construction on a city-owned parking lot.

July 7, 1980 -- County residents were continuing clean-up efforts today following a devastating storm early Saturday that injured 11 and caused millions of dollars in damage as high winds swept through the area toppling trees and disrupting electrical service to many homes.

The storm, with winds of more than 60 miles per hour, swept through the northern section of the state and knocked out the communications system at the National Weather Service office at the South Bend Airport, according to Kosciusko County Civil Defense Director Sonja Creighton. Thus, area residents were not alerted for "one of the most wicked storms" to hit the county in recent years.

July 7, 1980 -- The Glory Barn --the roots of the local charismatic movement and the controversial meeting place of the Faith Assembly in the last decade --was destroyed by fire early Friday. Two youngsters were injured.

North Webster, Syracuse and Cromwell firefighters were summoned to the Glory Barn at 3:30 a.m. and battled the blaze for approximately two hours. Believing that the fire was of "suspicious origin," North Webster fire officials said Noble County police have requested that the State Fire Marshal assist in the investigation.

Six persons escaped from the burning two-story barn, which is along CR 200S and near the state road in Noble County. Brandon Wahl carried his two sons, Joel and Lee, from their bedrooms, but not before they suffered burns.

July 8, 1980 -- A week after the old superintendent cleaned out his office, Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. has a new one.

By a 5-0 vote, the board of trustees Monday night tabbed Dr. Baxter Paige, currently assistant superintendent of Avon Community School Corp. west of Indianapolis, as its replacement for Dr. Lloyd Harrell.

Aug. 5, 1980 -- Despite the increasing humidity, Andy Kuhn and Cindy Tucker were crowned the 1980 4-H King and Queen last night before a capacity crowd at the annual 4-H Tenure Awards and Fashion Revue program in the Warsaw Community High School auditorium.

Aug. 5, 1980 -- A month after it decided to build a new fire station on Canal Street near Center Lake Park, the city of Warsaw has changed its mind.

By a 3-0 vote, the city's Board of Public Works and Safety today directed engineer Jerry Lessig to draw up plans for a new station on parking lots at the corner of Main and Indiana streets, directly north of the Kosciusko County Jail.

Aug. 11, 1980 -- Van Gurley accepted his first place trophy from Aimee Valentine after winning the season championship in the sprint division at Warsaw Motor Speedway. Den England finished second.

Sept. 4, 1980 -- The chief negotiator for the Warsaw Community Education Association today warned "some kind of job action will have to be taken," as local teachers now are concluding their second week of working without a new master contract.

Bill Koos, a social studies teacher at Warsaw Middle School, wouldn't go as far as saying there would be a teacher strike here, or for that matter even a "sick-in," but in the wake of a two-hour session that proved fruitless Wednesday night, it was obvious negotiators for the WCEA were upset.

Oct. 1, 1980 -- Only the county clerk's office was open today following Tuesday's fire that caused the temporary closing of the Kosciusko County Courthouse in downtown Warsaw.

County Clerk N. Jean Messmore and her staff opened the clerk's office at noon. The only business they were conducting was voter registration and the issuance of support checks. Persons going to the clerk's office were asked to enter through the east door.

Small cases containing 175 vote-a-matic machines and 70 demonstrator machines were neatly lined against a wall in the west basement hallway, which was hit the hardest by fire.

The county commissioners held the first of two regular monthly meetings today. However, they were unable to meet in the commissioners' room in the basement because of the extensive fire, smoke, heat and water damage in the lower level.

Officials say they believe the county's insurance policy will cover all the damage, which was estimated between $500,000 and $1 million.

Oct. 1, 1980 -- The Olive Bethel Church of God, at CRs 1000S and 1300W, was established in 1883 and is the oldest continuing Church of God in the world.

Oct. 4, 1980 -- The king and queen of Warsaw Community High School's homecoming Friday night were Mitch Goon and Cheryl Gephart. Mitch is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Goon, Atwood, and Cheryl is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gephart, Warsaw.

Nov. 4, 1980 -- There will be no vehicular underpass for the ConRail tracks --at least not in the near future.

By a 4-1 vote, Warsaw's Common Council Monday night ended a discussion that began back in April 1978 to find a way to ease rail conflicts for east- and west-bound traffic in Warsaw.

Following what Councilman Terry Klondaris called a choice between the "long-term benefits and the short-term detriments," the council voted to end "all further authorization on the underpass project, including engineering work."

Councilman Phil Roy, the only dissenter, felt city officials were cutting their own throats on a $3.5 million project that had been guaranteed 100 percent federal funding.

Dec. 11, 1980 -- Two local citizens are on an independent campaign to improve the image of the city of Warsaw.

It doesn't matter that one of them just happens to be city councilman Jeff Plank, or that neither he nor his partner, artist Tim Kennedy, are transplants to the city.

But the two have begun their project with a children's book, "Warsaw, Indiana, Is My Town!"

Jan. 12, 1981 -- Three fires Sunday claimed the life of a Lake Wawasee man, left a Claypool family homeless and temporarily halted the printing presses of a New Paris farm publication.

Robert Glen Baker, 53, Rt. 1, Syracuse, died of smoke inhalation, according to Kosciusko County Coroner Gary Eastlund. He was found in the front bedroom of his home. Other fires destroyed the Michael Fishbaugh home south of Claypool and extensively damaged the Farmer's Exchange printing press in New Paris.

Jan. 15, 1981 -- Robert E. Gephart, 51, of 639 Nancy St., Warsaw, and Mrs. Margaret (Peg) Phillips, 71, of 701 Pam St., Warsaw, were named the "1980 Man and Woman of the Year" at the 69th Annual Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce Banquet in the Warsaw Elks Club.

Feb. 3, 1981 -- The latest in landfill closure orders by the State Board of Health has caused more than an outcry of objection from local elected officials. It also places county residents in a precarious situation.

In a letter dated Jan. 21, the State Board of Health has ordered Stanley Scott, the owner of Scott Sanitary Landfill, to immediately close the dumping site north of Dewart Lake in Kosciusko County. The closure was not ordered on the grounds of violations, but stems from the state's previously publicized plans calling for the eventual phase-out of landfills in Indiana.

In addition to mailing the closure letter to Scott, copies also were sent to the Kosciusko County Commissioners and the Kosciusko County Health Department.

March 2, 1981 -- Appointments to Times-Union management and editorial posts were announced today by Michael R. Williams.

Norman L. Hagg, Times-Union managing editor for eight years, has been named general manager of the newspaper and radio stations WRSW AM-FM. City editor Tom Swenson becomes managing editor and columnist Charlotte Marie Butler is named an associate editor on the news staff.

Hagg, 43, Rt. 6, Warsaw, an employee of the newspaper and radio stations for nearly 18 years, began his duties as a night newsman at WRSW in 1963.

April 3, 1981 -- Wawasee and Tippecanoe Valley girls opened their high school track seasons in convincing styles Thursday night. The Warrior gals rolled over Westview 60-45, while TVHS whipped Caston 62-43.

Lonnie Black and Stacy Wall were each double winners in the Wawasee victory. Black captured the shot put with a heave of 34-4-1/2 and set a new school record in the discus with a mark of 110-8-1/2. Wall crossed the line first in both the 100 and 800 meter races. Susan Geyer established a new school standard (:16.5) in the 100 meter hurdles.

April 8, 1981 -- A policy requiring new employees --upon completion of a one-year probationary period --to reside within the city limits was adopted by the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety during its regular meeting Tuesday morning at City Hall.

May 1, 1981 -- Sixteen-year-old Mike Johnson is listed in good condition this morning at Goshen General Hospital after taking an unexpected dip in the cold waters of Lake Wawasee Thursday. Jack Darr and his 18-year-old son, Chris, are credited with saving Johnson from drowning.

May 4, 1981 -- Theodore Jackson Dobbins, 81, former owner of the Warsaw Cut Glass Co., of 915 W. Winona Ave., died unexpectedly at 1:30 a.m. today in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

June 5, 1981 -- One of the oldest buildings and the only restaurant in Atwood --the Atwood Cafe --was extensively damaged by fire early today.

Fire damage on the first floor, as well as smoke and water damage throughout the structure, was estimated at $30,000 by Sheriff C. Alan Rovenstine, owner of the building. That figure could climb higher today after a more thorough inspection.

July 1, 1981 -- Three area landfill owners met Tuesday to discuss funding problems, and after the smoke had cleared, the trio was seriously considering closing the only dump sites now available to the public in Kosciusko County.

Stanley and Dick Scott, owners of Scott's Landfill near Dewart Lake; Dan Ransbottom, owner of Ransbottom's Landfill near Packerton; and Harian Beer, owner of Beer and Slabaugh's Elko Landfill near Nappanee, met to discuss the future of the three dump sites.

With the county council saying it will no longer subsidize the two public landfills owned by Scott and Ransbottom and the State Board of Health placing stricter regulations on all three owners, they are considering the possibility of closing the dump sites on July 15. The Elko Landfill, which is privately owned and operated, is not subsidized by county tax dollars.

Aug. 1, 1981 -- Improvements and new ideas brought to The Warsaw Speedway have been a major factor in drawing larger crowds to the dirt race track at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds this summer.

Bob Grindle, a hometown resident who says he is "friends with everybody," is serving as manager of The Warsaw Speedway for the first time this season. For the past 25 years, he was just one of the boys racing all different types of autos around the dirt track.

After race drivers complained about the track management last year and remonstrators appeared before the Warsaw Common Council to complain about the late night noise, Grindle was selected as the new track manager.

Aug. 4, 1981 -- Brent Messmore and Darlene Hathaway posed after being named the 1981 Kosciusko County 4-H Fair King and Queen during the annual 4-H Fashion Revue Monday night at Warsaw Community High School.

Sept. 1, 1981 -- It's now official --the Center Street widening project is now dead and buried. The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety put the project to rest with a 3-0 vote at its meeting today.

The matter had already been announced by the board with an open letter addressed to city residents Aug. 24, advising them of the abandonment of the proposed project.

The next possibility for street change may be Detroit Street, as city officials are scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Sept. 11, in Indianapolis, with the State Highway Commission. Mayor Hodges said he will discuss problems pertaining to traffic flow, intersections and conditions of streets.

Oct. 2, 1981 -- Bids from both general contractors and electrical contractors for construction of the east-west runway at the Warsaw Municipal Airport were submitted Thursday afternoon in a special joint meeting of the Warsaw Aviation Board and the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety. The bids were taken under advisement by both city boards until next week.

There were 10 bids submitted for earthwork and building of a 5,000-foot runway, which will run south of the Administration Building. Two of the bidders submitted alternate figures for using cement instead of blacktop for the runway.

Nov. 5, 1981 -- The present Etna Green Fire Station will be torn down and another will be built in its place sometime next year.

The old fire station, built around 1930, has been condemned and the insurance was canceled on both buildings in 1979. The fire facility consisted of a masonry building that housed the fire equipment and a smaller wood building that was used for storage of old records and a deep well pump.

Dec. 7, 1981 -- Forty years ago today the Japanese air raid on American military installations at Pearl Harbor began early in the morning. Memories are still vividly etched in the mind of a local man who was wounded, but survived, that bombing attack.

Furman C. Martin Jr., Rt. 6, Warsaw, was a corporal in the U.S. Army. Since he was trained as a mechanic, he was attached to Headquarters Squadron, 18th Bombardment Wing, U.S. Army Air Corps at Hickam Field. Little did he know that Dec. 7, 1941, was not going to be another routine day. "If I would have known 40 years ago what I know now, I wouldn't have stayed at Hickam," Martin said in a recent interview. "I would have went to the other side of the island."

At 7:55 a.m. Dec. 7, 1941, Martin and a handful of military officers had moved an airplane from hangar No. 7 out onto the asphalt at Hickam Air Field and were preparing for a training flight.

The plane engine had been started and was warmed up, Martin recalled. The flight crew was nearly ready to enter the plane when the first Japanese bomber swooped down low over Hickam Air Field and dropped a bomb.

Jan. 4, 1982 -- Local Kroger Co. and Zale Drug Store officials said today they are uncertain how long the two stores will be closed following a major fire that swept through the storage room of the supermarket Thursday afternoon.

Fire caused an estimated $400,000 damage to the East Center Street supermarket Ð of which there was $300,000 in damage to the contents and $100,000 damage to the building, according to Warsaw Fire Department officials. There was only smoke damage to The Zale Drug Store, which adjoins The Kroger Co., fire officials reported.

Jan. 7, 1982 -- County Republican Chairman Jean Northenor announced today county attorney Rex Reed will be the GOP's new vice chairman.

Reed, 40, of Rt. 9, Warsaw, succeeds Don Hair, who announced last month he would leave the post because he had been transferred to Bristol, Tenn., in his job with United Telephone Systems.

Jan. 9, 1982 -- The polished brass doors and the ornamental fixtures of the 1930s era come alive in a structure that has stood majestically in downtown Warsaw for one-half century.

The old U.S. Post Office, which has been empty since the new Post Office was built in 1978, has been renovated into a bank branch. It's now called the Post Office Square and houses the Counting House Bank branch, plus other business offices.

Jan. 11, 1982 -- Kosciusko County residents today were digging out following what may have been the coldest day of the century, which virtually shut down the area.

Howling winds caused snow to drift across north-south roads Sunday night, causing the closure of all area schools, as well as many factories, businesses and the Kosciusko County Courthouse today. The Kosciusko County Commissioners declared a snow emergency at 3 p.m. Sunday. That means all vehicles, with the exception of emergency vehicles, should stay off all roads in the county until the snow emergency is lifted.

Feb. 1, 1982 -- Nearly a foot of new snow fell Sunday, bringing all activities to a halt in Kosciusko County.

Numerous businesses, industry, the Kosciusko County Courthouse, City Hall and all area schools were closed today. All area police officers, firemen and emergency medical technicians worked Sunday and were back on the job today.

Both the Kosciusko County Commissioners and Warsaw Mayor Paul E. (Mike) Hodges declared a snow emergency early Sunday. City and county officials commented that they expect the snow emergency to be lifted today.

Some believe this is the worst storm since the Blizzard of '78 and others are bracing for another onslaught of snow that may begin sometime Tuesday.

March 1, 1982 -- William Kurosky, 56, Rt. 3, Warsaw, acting executive director of the Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services here, died unexpectedly about 1:50 a.m. Sunday after suffering a heart attack at his home.

Kurosky, Academy of Certified Social Workers, was instrumental in the formation of the original Four-County Mental Health Center (forerunner of the Bowen Center) here in the 1960s. He had been actively involved in the Kosciusko County mental health field for 17 years serving longest as director of community services at Bowen Center.

April 1, 1982 -- "I think this will be a great boost to the city of Warsaw. It will provide us with another recreational lake, as well," Mayor Paul E. (Mike) Hodges said today in announcing that land originally planned for airport expansion has become a flood plain.

Hodges, flanked by City Councilman Bob Nichols and City Attorney Dave Whitesell, his right- and left-hand men, respectively, apparently told the Warsaw Board of Aviation Commissioners of the action at a closed door meeting early this morning. According to plans reportedly approved by the Army Corps of Engineers, high water from Center, Pike and Winona lakes, as well as Tippecanoe Lake and Barbee Lakes chain, will now drain off onto land originally planned for a 5,500-foot east/west runway.

The city decided to scrap the airport project after it was realized funds were not available to acquire the needed acreage for construction.

By creating a flood plain, the city avoided the construction costs of the runway.

May 3, 1982 -- It's a four-person job as the ribbon is snipped Sunday in the grand opening of the Kosciusko County Justice Building. Doing the cutting are County Commissioners Gerald Smalley, Maurice Dorsey, Fred Gilliam and County Auditor Jean Northenor. Helping to hold the ribbon is county attorney Rex Reed.

June 8, 1982 -- Only a handful of tickets are still available for the B.J. Thomas concert, which is the highlight of tonight's Mentone Centennial activities.

The famed country-gospel singer will appear in two shows -- at 6:30 and 9 p.m. -- in the gymnasium at Tippecanoe Valley High School. Hundreds of area residents are expected to pack the gym to hear the singer.

July 7, 1982 -- Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service board members are seeking the financial support of two additional townships and want the commissioners to help.

Robert White and Ed Pratt, both members of the MTEMS board of directors, and Cindy Dobbins, managing director of Multi-Township EMS, appeared before the commissioners Tuesday in the courthouse to seek their help in convincing Plain Township Trustee Don Boggs and Harrison Township Trustee Chester Clampitt to contribute a fair share of tax dollars to the ambulance organization.

Aug. 3, 1982 -- Crowned the 1982 4-H King and Queen at the Kosciusko County Fair were Mike Pyle, the 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Pyle, Rt. 2, Silver Lake, and Doreen Darr, the 19-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Darr, Rt. 2, Syracuse. They were crowned during Monday night's annual Fashion Revue in the Warsaw Community High School auditorium.

Sept. 3, 1982 -- Kosciusko County Assessor Avis Gunter and former Wayne Township Assessor Garold R. Horrick were inducted into the Kosciusko County GOP Hall of Fame during a Republican dinner meeting Thursday night at the Shrine Building.

Lt. Gov. John Mutz was the main speaker at the Sixth Annual Republican Hall of Fame dinner.

Oct. 2, 1982 -- Whitko High School senior Beth King was crowned homecoming queen Friday night during halftime festivities at the Whitko-Columbia City game. She was escorted by her brother Mark King, a 1981 Whitko graduate. The Wildcats were victorious 12-6.

Oct. 5, 1982 -- Mayor Paul E. (Mike) Hodges took to television Monday night to continue to rake city councilmen for passing a 1983 budget he had previously admitted was heavily "padded."

The mayor appeared on a Channel 28 (WSJV) evening news interview, describing this term as the worst he had ever served (Hodges will complete his fifth term -- 20 years -- as mayor of Warsaw in December 1983). The inference was directed at his five councilmen -- Terry Klondaris, Robert Nichols, Fred Helfrich, Phil Roy and Jeff Plank.

Nov. 3, 1982 -- Mayor Paul E. (Mike) Hodges' efforts to leave a legacy -- $14 million plus encumberance against the city -- laid an egg at the polls Tuesday.

Despite the rainy, chilly day, voters swarmed to the voting booths in record numbers for a non-city election to resoundly defeat the mayor's efforts to persuade Warsaw residents to purchase the town's only water utility -- Hoosier Water Co.

Voters turned down the referendum by a nearly nine to one margin. It was a 2,500 vote plurality, or 89.2 percent against and 10.2 percent for the utility purchase. The final vote was 2,821 against, 321 for the purchase.

Dec. 7, 1982 -- A proposal to lure more business to the Warsaw area was made before the Kosciusko County Commissioners at a meeting Monday in the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

Deb Wiggins, executive vice president of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, discussed the possibility of hiring a company to do an economic development study. Wiggins said she had previously talked this over with Kosciusko County Councilman Ronald Sharp, and Sharp had indicated his interest in helping fund the study. But the councilman reported any initiating action should come from the commissioners, Wiggins said Monday.

Following discussion, county commissioners Fred Gilliam, Gerald Smalley and Maurice Dorsey agreed to recommend an additional appropriation of $6,700. The matter will come before the county council Jan. 20.

Jan. 3, 1983 -- It was a little more than six hours after the bewitching hour before Kosciusko Community Hospital could welcome its first baby of 1983, but despite missing a 1983 tax deduction, the wait was well worthwhile for Bruce and Ferree Bowman, Rt. 1, Pierceton.

The Bowmans are parents of a daughter, Lisa, born at 6:10 a.m. Saturday at KCH. Weighing in at eight pounds, eight ounces, Lisa joins her 3-1/2-year-old sister, Brooke, as a member of the Bowman family.

Jan. 3, 1983 -- Virgil C. Doran, who founded Warsaw Black Oxide Inc., Burket, in 1952 following his retirement after 40 years with the Railway Postal Service, died at 1:10 a.m. Sunday at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He was 92.

Feb. 1, 1983 -- No reports of violence have occurred locally, and only one incident has occurred so far in Indiana, but the strike of the 100,000 member Independent Truckers Association has still affected some Kosciusko County area trucking firms.

Ernie Metzger, owner of Metzger Trucking, Silver Lake, said today, "We're not running. We have a few trucks out --trying to get home. We are not in favor of striking, but we're scared to run. If they don't repeal the tax we won't be in business. But those trucks that are out have had no problems.

Independent truckers began striking Monday and violence was reported in nine states, but the only report in Indiana was when a truck driver reported his window was smashed as he drove near Michigan City.

March 1, 1983 -- Virginia Summe today became what is believed to be the first woman to ever file for a Warsaw Common Council seat.

Summe signed candidacy forms in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk N. Jean Messmore for a Fifth District City Council seat in the Democratic party.

Summe, 57, of 615 E. Center St., Warsaw, is also the first Democrat to file in the newly created Fifth District.

Norma Gilworth was an unsuccessful candidate for the GOP mayor nomination in 1967, but it is believed no woman has sought a council seat.

March 4, 1983 -- Democratic City Councilman Jeffrey W. Plank today became a candidate for mayor of the city of Warsaw. That had been rumored for some time. What had not been rumored is that he would become a candidate on the Republican ticket.

Plank, the lone Democrat elected in the 1979 municipal election, filed his candidacy papers at 11 a.m. today --an hour before the filing deadline --in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk N. Jean Messmore.

April 7, 1983 -- Saying that he cannot take a neutral position in the upcoming Warsaw mayoral primary and is supporting Jeff Plank, Michael Valentine today submitted his resignation as chairman of the Warsaw Republican Committee.

May 2, 1983 -- Matt Cook and Marl Miller were crowned king and queen of the Warsaw Community High School prom Saturday night. Both seniors, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cook, Rt. 1, Warsaw, and she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Miller, Rt. 2, Claypool. He is a member of the basketball and track teams and she plays basketball and volleyball.

May 4, 1983 -- Top party leaders were convinced that two of the three Republican mayor candidates would race "neck in neck" down to the finish line for the Warsaw GOP nomination.

It didn't end like that at all.

City Councilman Jeffrey W. Plank carried a 510-vote plurality to defeat fellow City Councilman Terry Klondaris in the Republican race.

Plank captured 57.2 percent of the votes compared to 39.7 percent for Klondaris and three percent for darkhorse GOP candidate Clifford Prater.

June 1, 1983 -- The idea of a community pool, operated by the Warsaw Community Schools, has again been resurrected, this time by a committee of concerned citizens and the board of directors of United Way of Kosciusko County.

The United Way has voted to appropriate $100,000 from its McNamara Fund for "the construction and operation of a suitable pool facility ... for comunity services such as water safety programs, rehabilitative and restorative programs for the sick and aged, as well as for programs sponsored by the United Way's member agencies," according to a news release today.

July 1, 1983 -- Lifelong Etna Green area resident Ruth (Heisler) Miner will lead the Etna Green Fourth of July parade as grand marshal at 2 p.m. Monday.

Mother of 10, grandmother of 34, great-grandmother of 35 and great-great-grandmother of one, Mrs. Miner is a member of the United Methodist Church, which named her "Mother of the Year" in 1982. Her friends, neighbors and family surprised her with a touching program in her honor.

July 2, 1983 -- The North Webster Town Board decided in a meeting this week to join the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission. A zoning ordinance will be written by board attorney Rex Reed, and plan commission director Dan Richard will begin preparation of a zoning map.

July 5, 1983 -- Leesburg's 150th birthday celebration ended Saturday with a parade whose members nearly numbered the townÕs population.

There were about 100 entries in the parade, which began at 2 p.m. Saturday and lasted more than an hour. The Bob Bishop family won first place in the general float category, followed by Leesburg Grace Brethren Church. The third-place winner was the Leesburg Little League Team's float.

Aug. 2, 1983 -- Jeremy Kuhn, 19, Rt. 1, Etna Green, and DeShawn VanDeWater, 19, Rt. 5, Warsaw, were crowned the 1983 4-H King and Queen during Monday night's Annual Tenure Awards and 4-H Fashion Revue in the Warsaw Community High School Auditorium. They will reign over 4-H activities during the 67th Kosciusko County Fair this week.

Sept. 2, 1983 -- U.S. Sen. Dan Quayle (R-Warsaw) made a stop in Warsaw Thursday evening to put his support behind GOP candidate for the city's mayor, Jeff Plank.

Oct. 1, 1983 -- After nearly a four-year absence from the political arena, former Warsaw Mayor H. Dale Tucker said Friday he is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Tucker, who now lives and works in Jeffersonville, was in the Warsaw area visiting friends Friday when he announced his intentions to seek the post.

Nov. 9, 1983 -- Sensing that Warsaw voters want a change in the operation of local government and "not just a change in personalities," Republican Mayor-elect Jeff Plank has promised his administration will deliver.

Plank scored an overwhelming victory in the general election Tuesday, collecting 61.4 percent of the votes cast in the city.

Dec. 2, 1983 -- Eight officials in the Hodges administration have been ordered to repay the city of Warsaw $7,972.67, according to an audit released today by State Board of Accounts Examiner M.F. (Bud) Renner.

A state audit was initiated after city Clerk-Treasurer Pam Ward voiced concern about HUD and city records 1-1/2 years ago. She commented this week, "All I said is something is not right in Warsaw. My concerns were very valid. I think these auditors feel the money is due back to the city for various irregularities." She added, "They (city officials) got caught with their fingers in the cookie jar. Now theyÕre going to pay."

Four city officials met Monday with Renner in Indianapolis to appeal orders to repay money to the city. They include: Mayor Paul E. (Mike) Hodges, City Public Works Superintendent Everette Dunkleberger, Assistant Public Works Superintendent Robert Hoppus and City Park Superintendent Richard Hamman. In addition, Hodges was unsuccessful in justifying the use of city-owned vehicles on vacation and other irregularities, which are pointed out in the final city audit.

Jan. 3, 1984 -- Mr. and Mrs. Gregory (Michelle) Davis, 707 E. Center St., Warsaw, won't be able to claim seven-pound, 10-ounce Ashley Dawn as a 1983 tax deduction. But they're probably quite relieved she showed up. Ashley was born Jan. 2, the first baby of the new year at Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Feb. 2, 1984 -- Biomet President Dane Miller said today the firm has reached an agreement in principle to purchase several orthopedic equipment company offices in the United States and Europe. The purchase is part of a joint marketing venture for distributing purposes.

Diasonics Inc., a Milpitas, Calif., manufacturer of medical diagnostic imaging equipment, purchased OEC, headquartered in Warsaw, in May 1963. Both Biomet and OEC orthopedic products will be sold by all three companies.

In addition to OEC's products, X-ray and intraoperative ultrasound products manufactured by Diasonics are included in the deal.

All that's left is official approval, Miller said, since the directors of the corporations have not voted on the agreement.

March 6, 1984 -- Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Campbell's IGA grocery store took place Monday morning in Milford. According to Fred Collins, general contractor, the doors of the $650,000 store will open on July 1.

April 3, 1984 -- Two of the three Kosciusko County Commissioners Monday questioned the use of a courthouse office by councilman Ronald Sharp while he is seeking elective office.

Sharp, a Republican candidate for County Commissioner of the Northern District, recently announced that he will maintain an office in the courthouse to answer questions and assist taxpayers.

May 1, 1984 -- Next Tuesday's Whitko School Board election will be the first since last August's decision to close the Sidney and Larwill elementary schools and send all those students to Pierceton and South Whitley.

And though the transition of all the corporation youngsters to Pierceton and South Whitley has appeared to be a smooth one, the voters in the Larwill and Sidney communities --and what their present feelings are --may determine the next school board makeup. Citizens of those two communities bitterly protested the closings and the increase of the Cumulative Building Fund rate from 15 cents to $1 for the next five years to enable the board to obtain a $1.5 million school fund loan at an eight percent interest.

June 2, 1984 -- The crowd was at the Lake Theatre long before show time Friday night, and it had nothing to do with the popularity of the films featured.

The first "Breakdance Contest" was sponsored by the local theater, approximately 90 minutes before "Breakin" and "Streets of Fire" began on the twin screens downtown.

The contest brought a throng of spectators --primarily young teenagers but also some curious older folks --and 12 participants.

First prize winner Friday was Sherlock Harrison, while Sean Smith was second and Tom Moreno third. Harrison received two tickets to either Lake 1 or Lake 2. Smith won a "Breakin" album and Moreno, a "Breakin" shirt.

July 6, 1984 -- Divers from Warsaw and Kosciusko County police forces were still searching Winona Lake at 12:30 a.m. today for a 23-year-old Strong, Mich., magician who is believed to have fallen handcuffed off the Winona Queen pontoon at about 9:45 a.m. Identification was withheld pending notification of relatives.

The man was apparently practicing a magic act he was to perform at 1 p.m. today for a contingent from the Moody Bible Conference, which is being conducted in Winona Lake this week. The pontoon was approximately 400 feet out from the shore near the Winona Hotel.

The man and a companion, Terry Knaus, St. Johns, Mich., were apparently in Winona Lake for a meeting of Christian magicians.

Aug. 3, 1984 -- R. Douglas Grant, president of Lake City Bank and James Van Buskirk, chairman of the board of the State Exchange Bank announced today Lake City Bank was the successful bidder for the acquisition of the State Exchange Bank of Roann.

Sept. 11, 1984 -- Gifted and talented students in the Warsaw Community High Schools now have a program designed especially for their needs, with a part-time coordinator and a $20,000-plus budget.

At the request of Judith Mugg, director of curriculum, the Warsaw Community School Board Monday night approved the 1984-85 gifted and talented program.

Oct. 1, 1984 -- There were three major fires in the county over the weekend, and two are still under investigation.

Arson is believed to be the cause of a fire with an estimated $50,000 damage to a Syracuse apartment building Friday night. All occupants of the five apartments escaped unharmed.

In Warsaw, the National Structural Plastics Inc., near the 300 block of Argonne Road, was totally destroyed and four apartments in the Cost-A-Plenty complex were badly damaged early Sunday morning. No cause has been determined in the Argonne Road blaze while sparks from a fireplace was the cause of the apartment complex fire.

No one was injured in either blaze.

Nov. 1, 1984 -- As the sting of last month's murder of Barbara Lee Hulley slowly wears off in Syracuse, investigators in the unsolved crime continue to work at their makeshift command center in Robert Reed's law office downtown.

"We're not quitting," Kosciusko County Police Detective Sgt. Tom Kitch said. "We won't quit."

Kitch has been working full-time on the case since Hulley's body was found with multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest Sept. 23 by her son.

Dec. 4, 1984 -- Kosciusko County's war dead will not be forgotten.

The Kosciusko County Commissioners unanimously approved a contribution of $20,000 to the county's Veterans' Memorial Fund and cleared the way for construction of a large granite memorial honoring the local men who were killed in action in five wars.

Middle District County Commissioner Fredrick Gilliam led the movement to provide the $20,000 needed by the Memorial Fund Committee to pay for the 21,000-pound granite war memorial that will be installed on the local courthouse lawn next spring.

Jan. 2, 1985 -- The first baby born at Kosciusko Community Hospital in 1985 is Angie Elaine Reese. Angie is pictured with her parents, Jerrollene and Orville Reese, Rt. 2, Akron. She was born at 3:09 a.m. Jan. 1 and weighed eight pounds, three ounces.

Feb. 1, 1985 -- Robert E. Delp, 72, of 1807 E. Clark St., Warsaw, retired vice president of Zimmer Inc., died at 5 p.m. Thursday in Kosciusko Community Hospital.

A member of the First United Methodist Church, he had retired from Zimmer Inc. after 41 years as vice president of manufacturing.

Feb. 15, 1985 -- The Kosciusko County Council voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a county option income tax effective this July.

County councilmen J. Norman DeGood, Larry Teghtmeyer, Thomas Anglin, Carl Latta, Kathryn Teel, Dennis Polk and George Klinger accepted an ordinance establishing option income tax rates from 1985-1990.

They also voted 5-2 in favor of adopting a 4 percent homestead credit, clearing the way to provide property tax relief to homeowners throughout the county.

March 1, 1985 -- Discussion was held on the estimated cost of the five possible building options --and a sixth one was added --at a special hearing Thursday of the Warsaw School Board at the old Freshman High School.

The new possibility was submitted by Freshman High School teacher Joe Conlon, who proposed building a new high school at the site of the new freshman school on Ind. 15 on the city's south side. This would be on part of the 130 acres owned by the school corportion at that area, with an estimated 40 acres still remaining after completion of the new freshman building.

Conlon's plan calls for a new high school there so that the freshmen and high school students could be at one site. He said the new swimming pool and a new gym big enough to host sectionals could be located there.

April 6, 1985 -- When a teenager has Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as her idols -- instead of the Michael Jackson-Sheena Easton types --then she must be a tap dancer.

And that's exactly what the oldest sister of the dancing Lemons has always wanted to be. Sixteen-year-old Dawn Lemons probably enjoys the same music as other high school sophomores, but if she had her druthers, she'd be in Vaudeville rather than on MTV.

"I watch Fred Astaire movies all the time," she said. "I really enjoy it."

So do her sisters Tammy, 13, and Mary, 8. They join 21 other girls of the Janice Dyson Dance Club in Fort Wayne every week for group lessons Friday night and individual instruction Saturday afternoon.

April 9, 1985 -- The gifted/talented program for children in the Warsaw School System has been conducted on a voluntary basis for the past few years and Program For Academic and Creative Enrichment was started this past fall. Now, a group of parents with academically talented children are urging expansion of this program.

Elkhart area and head coach Charlie Wappes says he hopes his team is ready for the grind to come.

April 10, 1985 -- Voters in the Triton School district voted by a 2-1 margin to change its method of selecting representatives to the school board during Tuesday's special election.

Beginning next year, a transition will begin in the switch from the current seven-member appointed Triton School Board to a five-member elected board.

May 4, 1985 -- When Virgil A. ("Doc") McCleary chose to return to his hometown 45 years ago, Warsaw was simply the result of a final selection process involving cities in northern Indiana.

It's hard to imagine McCleary anywhere else after the many community projects, organizations, patients and friends he has touched in some way during his career here. Just about anyone who's been around Warsaw for a year or so knows "Doc."

And if you know him, it's difficult to picture life at his Buffalo Street optometry office without him. In the next few weeks, and officially on July 1, McCleary will be moving out of his lifetime work and into the world of retirement.

June 24, 1985 -- Battered wives, abused women.

It's a growing problem both nationally and in Kosciusko County.

Recognizing that one of the nation's major domestic problems has existed locally for many years, Mary Ann Cox, of Winona Lake, decided to take affirmative action to provide help to those women who are physically and emotionally abused. Cox, who was serving as chairman of the Altrusa Club community service committee in 1982, appeared before her fellow club members to present the idea of opening a local shelter for abused women.

Interested in the proposal, club members kicked off a campaign to organize and raise funds for an abused women's shelter in Kosciusko County.

Now three years later, a shelter for abused women --known as The Beaman Home --will be opened July 1 in Warsaw.

It's a dream come true for Cox, who credits the opening of the new shelter to the untiring efforts of fellow Altrusa Club members and the volunteers who have served on the board of directors of the Kosciusko County Shelter for Victims of Abuse Inc. since its inception in 1983.

Of course there have been other volunteer efforts, such as members of the Warsaw Evening Lions Clubs who painted the interior walls of the new shelter and the Warsaw Noon Kiwanis Club who helped move beds into the home recently.

July 1, 1985 -- Bethanie Walker, of Syracuse, was named the 1985 "Queen of Lakes" Saturday night during concluding ceremonies of the 40th annual Lions Club Mermaid Festival in North Webster.

July 1, 1985 -- Four military officers and a Claypool woman whose brother was killed in combat in Vietnam placed a wreath at the base of the new Kosciusko County War Memorial Monument before hundreds of area residents during a dedication ceremony June 30.

Deloris Rose, described as "the guiding light" in organizing the War Memorial Committee and raising contributions to pay for the 24,000-pound granite memorial, was given the honor of dedicating the war monument that was erected on the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn.

Aug. 2, 1985 -- Amtrak service will begin in October at the former Warsaw Depot, Mayor Jeff Plank announced Thursday.

Amtrak officials have confirmed that a station stop can be established at Warsaw on a one-year experimental basis. Plank, who made the announcement at a Kiwanis Club meeting, said the news is a dream come true for the many Kosciusko County residents who petitioned Amtrak to establish passenger train service to Warsaw.

Also, Zimmer Inc. has agreed to pay all expenses for establishing a station stop at the former Conrail station at 212 W. Jefferson St., now the Warsaw Depot Ceramic Store, while the city establishes lease agreements with the depot owner, Conrail and Amtrak.

Aug. 5, 1985 -- Delta Airline officials at the firm's public information center in Atlanta, Ga., confirmed today that Lorrie Shaver, a 1984 graduate of Grace College at Winona Lake and currently a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was one of the victims aboard the Delta Air Lines jumbo jet that crashed Friday on its final approach to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Shaver was one of 133 people aboard Flight 191 on the L-1011 TriStar who were killed in the crash. Thirty-one persons survived.

Sept. 3, 1985 -- Thirty-one new teachers in the Warsaw Community Schools began classes with the rest of the faculty and students today. Among the new teachers are: Douglas T. Ogle, math, Warsaw Middle School; Scott A. Avery, vocal music instructor, senior high and freshman school; David L. French, art teacher, freshman high; Sue E. Mock, learning disabled teacher, Jefferson School; Elizabeth Anne Halpin, English, freshman school; and Mark Stock, fourth grade, Washington Elementary School.

Sept. 10, 1985 -- A top-ranking Faith Assembly leader, Jack Farrell, recently quit the religious sect and told "The Body" that they are still "in bondage" to the late Dr. Hobart E. Freeman.

When approached a few weeks ago about leaving the group, the Rev. Farrell would not confirm that he had quit the sect. However, sources now say Farrell quit the sect but not before he stunned the estimated 2,000 members with an announcement during a Sunday service in June.

Sources say that Farrell and Stan Hill, both residents of Kosciusko County, were the two assistant pastors hand-picked by Freeman a few years ago to help guide the group and deliver sermons. The Faith Assembly has been in the national limelight for the past two years because its members are taught to shun conventional medical care and rely on faith healing.

Farrell is the second high-ranking leader to leave the sect in less than a year.

Oct. 5, 1985 -- Steve Hollar never dreamed he would win two state basketball championships. But then he probably never dreamed he'd be in the movies either.

Hollar, who wears a state title ring won with the Warsaw Tigers in 1984, is on the verge of winning a second state championship --sort of. He will be a member of the fictitious Hickory Huskers in the upcoming movie "Hoosiers," a $6 million project that will be shot over the next two to three months.

The film is based loosely on the 1954 Milan High School basketball team that shocked mighty Muncie Central 32-30 in the finals. The film will feature Gene Hackman as the Hickory coach.

Hollar learned Friday he had been awarded a speaking role as a member of the Hickory team.

Interestingly, another Warsaw High School graduate, Chris Stine, a sophomore at Indiana University, has been chosen for a nonspeaking part in the movie. Once a teammate of Hollar's, Stine will now be a member of a team playing against Hollar and Hickory High.

Oct. 5, 1985 -- Melissa Askins and Jeff Heisler were crowned queen and king at Triton High School's homecoming Friday night. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robin Askins of Bourbon and he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Heisler of Etna Green.

Nov. 2, 1985 -- A proposal to organize a countywide rural house-numbering grid system that would provide valuable information to emergency organizations, utility companies and the postal service was presented to the Kosciusko County Commissioners Friday.

Kosciusko County Assistant Planner Maria Rusomaroff explained that United Telephone Co. officials asked the Area Plan Commission officials a few months ago about the possibility of launching a unified rural house-numbering system.

Nov. 12, 1985 -- Serving as the interim director of the Warsaw Community Public Library for the past seven months, Ann M. Zoski was formally appointed the new director by the Warsaw Library Board of Trustees during a regular meeting Monday night in the library office.

Dec. 3, 1985 --The play "Ask Any Girl" will be performed by the advanced theater classes at Warsaw Community High School Auditorium Wednesday and Thursday.

The play will be double cast with a different cast performing each night. The leads in the fifth period class who will be performing Wednesday are played by Dawn Lemons, Dave Marsh and Casey Shepard. The third period class will display its acting talents Thursday as Anne Hartman, Tod Frank and Robert Ford play the leads.

Jan. 3, 1986 -- The first baby of the new year at Kosciusko Community Hospital didn't make his entrance until Thursday evening at 7:57 p.m. Steven Allen Gates, son of Cindy and Cy Gates, weighed in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Feb. 12, 1986 -- Warsaw resident Ruth Dalton took an Extra-Strength Tylenol Tuesday night only to later sit down to watch the late night news and learn she had ingested medication with the same lot number as the one in a New York murder.

Dalton became at least the third Hoosier to report having Tylenol bearing the same lot number identified in the New York case that has left one person dead from cyanide poisoning.

"I took one at nine o'clock and then I heard of the warning at 11," she said. "I wondered if I was playing Russian Roulette -- I'm not going to take anymore."

March 1, 1986 -- Peoples State Bank of Leesburg, the last family-operated bank in Kosciusko County, has been sold to First National Bank of Warsaw, pending state and federal approval. Officials of both institutions met Friday afternoon for an official announcement of the approximately $2.8 million purchase.

April 1, 1986 -- George Lenke, president of Da-Lite Screen Co. Inc., has announced the merger of Da-Lite Screen and Oravisual Co. Inc. Oravisual, a leading manufacturer of high quality lecterns, easels and communications cabinets currently located in St. Petersburg, Fla., will be moving manufacturing and administrative functions to the Da-Lite facility in Warsaw.

May 1, 1986 -- After a six-year tenure as chairman of the Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee, Jean Northenor will not seek re-election at the party reorganization meeting May 10.

Northenor, the first female GOP chairman in history, made the announcement today in a letter mailed to precinct committeemen and women.

June 2, 1986 -- State police detectives are continuing their investigation into a police-action shooting death of a Poquoson, Va., murder suspect in Silver Lake early Saturday morning.

Maurice Bernard Levy, 47, was killed in his 1976 Cadillac in the 300 block of East Main Street at approximately 2:45 a.m., when he apparently attempted to escape. Virginia authorities informed area police Friday night that Levy might be staying with Charlie Jayne of Silver Lake, who was described as a friend of the suspect.

Kosciusko County proectuor Michael Miner requested the state police investigation Saturday, even though he said the police actions appeared to have been proper. Levy was wanted on arson, murder, maiming and firearms charges for a May 22 homicide in Poquoson.

Officers and witnesses at the scene said Levy was inside his car, with the doors locked and windows rolled up, when a swarm of policemen surrounded the vehicle. The car was parked in a driveway alongside an alley beside Jayne's two-story home, at 305 E. Main St.

July 2, 1986 -- Debate over the rural numbering system was stifled for one full year Tuesday by the Kosciusko County commissioners, who suggested the total cost of implementation be determined before a decision is made.

Meanwhile, members of the citizen's committee for the rural numbering system expressed doubt that action will ever be taken on the proposal by the current board of commissioners.

July 2, 1986 -- More than 100 employees from various businesses throughout Kosciusko County participated in the First Kosciusko County Challenge Cup. This event was designed to encourage camaraderie not only between employees in various businesses but also among the companies. Keeping this objective in mind, many committee members organized the events to make them fun, requiring a little bit of skill and a lot of luck.

There were six events in all, with ribbons given out to the winners of each of these. In golf, R.R. Donnelley team No. 1 was first; Zimmer team No. 1 second; and Othy and UTS team No. 2 tied for third place. The running relay first place went to Othy; second to Zimmer team No. 3; and third place went to Donnelley team No. 2.

Other events included office relay race, obstacle course, tug-of-war and football contest.

The overall winners of the First Kosciusko County Challenge Cup went to Donnelley's team No. 2.

Aug. 5, 1986 -- The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel has filed suit in Kosciusko Circuit Court against Kosciusko County coroner Gary Eastlund, seeking to gain access to documents concerning the death of Faith Assembly leader Dr. Hobart Freeman.

According to the complaint filed, Eastlund did release the copies of the certificate of death and the coroner's verdict, but refused to allow inspection of any further documents.

Sept. 2, 1986 -- After 17 hours of fighting erratic temperature changes, Brendt Smith completed one of the most extraordinary feats in Kosciusko County lake history when he finished swimming across 52 lakes at 11:18 p.m. Monday. The accomplishment is believed to be a world record.

Flanked by an escort of three county sheriff's boats, Smith stepped out of the water and onto the northern shores of Lake Wawasee with clenched fist as more than 50 people gathered for an emotional celebration.

He had conquered the chilly elements of 52 lakes, and a thief by the name of cancer was the sole loser.

His attempt to establish a world's record for swimming the most lakes in 24 hours was in honor of his 52-year-old father, John, who died of cancer three years ago. An estimated $2,000 was raised, including about $1,700 from contributions taken at the lakes for the American Cancer Society. With news of his success, officials are hoping that figure will rise.

Oct. 2, 1986 -- Kosciusko County Court's expanding caseload may require the creation of an additional court, according to several county officials.

The county commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday supporting an upcoming survey by the staff of the Judicial Study Commission after County Court Judge James Jarrette explained work in his court has about reached the "saturation point."

According to the judge, the number of new filings has increased by 1,435 in the past year. The county court accumulated 5,080 new filings in 1984, but skyrocketed to 6,447 in 1985. The total number of cases, which include pending cases, has risen from 9,410 to 10,845 during the same period.

Oct. 4, 1986 -- The Tippecanoe Valley homecoming king and queen were crowned following Friday night's victory against Eastern. The 1986 queen and king are Jana Hawkins, daughter of Roy Frederick and Darlene Anderson of Mentone, and Chris Zolman, son of John and Sue Zolman of Burkett.

Brian Sherwin and Ruchelle Wright were crowned the royal couple at the Whitko homecoming game Friday night against North Miami. The Wildcats celebrated a 27-0 victory over their opponents.

Nov. 18, 1986 -- Jomac Products Inc. is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The company has 14 locations in the United States and Canada employing more than 700 persons. Jomac has operated a facility in Warsaw for 34 years. Warsaw Mayor Jeff Plank presented a resolution to company officials at a dinner last week and thanked the organization for its tenure here and for its support of the community.

Dec. 2, 1986 -- Pierceton Clerk-Treasurer Janet Castle was having an ordinary afternoon Monday until a man armed with a 12-gauge shotgun drove by her office and shot out the windows of a police car and her personal auto. Both were parked in front of her office window.

Tyler Lee Wilcox, 23, Rt. 3, Warsaw, is in custody in the Kosciusko County Jail on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness after being arrested by Pierceton Town Marshal George Alexander. He admitted to the shooting, police said, after questioning at his home.

Jan. 3, 1987 -- Linda Regenos of Warsaw proudly holds her new daughter, Ashley LeAnn, who was the first 1987 baby born at Kosciusko Community Hospital. She was delivered Thursday morning. The girl's father is Mark Regenos.

Feb. 4, 1987 -- Plans to establish an Indiana National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility at the Warsaw Airport have been scrapped, the Guard disclosed Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Carl G. Farrell, the adjutant general of Indiana, made the decision to withdraw the proposed helicopter base because of "the environmental conditions in the Warsaw area."

Warsaw Mayor Jeff Plank and Farrell made the announcement in a joint news release.

March 3, 1987 -- The federal government has filed suit against the Kosciusko County Drainage Board for violating three orders to halt maintenance projects on Deeds Creek.

County officials are currently preparing an initial response to the suit filed recently in U.S. Federal Court in South Bend. The county has until Thursday to respond to the court action. County surveyor Chuck Brower is also named in the suit.

April 6, 1987 -- Steve Hollar knows fame is fleeting.

As a junior at Warsaw Community High School, Hollar sank two free throws with time running out to assure a 3-point victory for the Tigers in the 1984 state high school basketball championship against Vincennes Lincoln.

For a time, people remembered Jacque and Charles Hollar's son as the kid who iced the game for Warsaw. He liked that. They've forgotten that moment. But that's OK, too.

Today, Hollar, 20, a communications major at DePauw University, once again finds himself a mini-celebrity.

It is not his point guard contribution to the DePauw Tigers team, because as a first-semester sophomore he had little playing time this year. The recognition is for movie basketball, as in "Hoosiers," a film starring Gene Hackman as the comeback coach at a tiny Indiana high school whose players miraculously win the state championship.

Hollar's Sigma Nu Fraternity brothers teasingly call him "Hollywood," and few among his 2,400 classmates fail to recognize him with a cheery nod or "Hi, Steve!" as he goes about student life on the DePauw campus.

Hollar was one of about 700 young men who auditioned in Indiana, Chicago and Los Angeles for the eight roles as Hickory Huskers team members.

He knew a lot about basketball and nothing about acting. But he was chosen Ð and wound up with the highly visible role of cocky Rade Butcher. He also wound up with an Actor's Equity Card and $18,000 for the two months of his time it took to shoot the critically acclaimed film directed by Decatur native David Anspaugh.

But he's not certain now, what sort of job he might be seeking. During the filming of "Hoosiers," he said he would major in predentistry (his father is a dentist) or premedicine.

April 7, 1987 -- Wawclaw Adamzyck wants to introduce his wife and two daughters to the simple pleasures of American society, such as watching color television and enjoying sliced bread and bananas.

Appreciating even the basic virtues of a modern democratic society, he hopes, will set a basis for understanding why they have left the oppressive governmental control of their homeland, Poland.

That learning process began Saturday when the 35-year-old Adamczyk was reunited with his family at Chicago's O'Hare Airport following their flight from Warsaw, Poland. The "homecoming" for his wife, Maria, 34, and two girls, Anna, 12, and seven-year-old Katarzyna, concluded a 5-1/2 year separation that began when Adam defected to the United States Sept. 30, 1981.

May 4, 1987 -- Warsaw Community High School's 1987 prom was led by the King and Queen, David Ransbottom, Rt. 2, Claypool, and Michelle Haines, Warsaw. Ransbottom is the son of Eileen and Dan Ransbottom, Claypool. Haines is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Haines.

June 1, 1987 -- The word community was stressed Saturday night in the dedication ceremony at the Freshman High School for the new Warsaw Community Pool, which had famed Indiana University swimming coach James "Doc" Counsilman as the featured speaker.

Both Councilman and Warsaw Schools superintendent Dr. Larry Crabb addressed the large gathering. Pool Director Dennis Holder gave the opening and closing messages and the Rev. Jerry Twombly performed the invocation.

July 7, 1987 -- When nearly 3,000 people participate in various city recreational leagues, support for the proposed City-County Athletic Complex shouldn't be hard to find.

And the city administration is preparing to give those supporters some good news soon, according to Mayor Jeff Plank.

Progress toward the creation of the CCAC --designed to answer the recreational needs of the greater Warsaw area --continues with an official announcement still pending. But indications are a large tract of land will be made available for the facility.

Aug. 1, 1987 -- An escort of sirens and police cars signaled the enthusiastic arrival of the International Special Olympics Torch Run into downtown Warsaw Friday afternoon.

Warm, sunny weather replaced forecasts of storms, making for a spectacular rousing of support by several hundred spectators. The torch run began in Chicago and will conclude in South Bend Sunday.

Led by three officers representing Jamaica, California and Hawaii, the runners headed north on Lake Avenue. A thunderous applause continued as several dozen people, many of whom wore commemorative T-shirts and represented the Cardinal Center, followed the runners in unison around the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

The torch will remain in Warsaw overnight and then continue its journey to Notre Dame Stadium, home of the 1987 International Special Olympics.

Aug. 4, 1987 -- The Kosciusko County 4-H king and queen were crowned Monday evening at the Warsaw Community High School auditorium. From a court of 16, Lisa Kaiser and Steve Lynch were named the royal couple. Kaiser, 17, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kaiser of Milford. Lynch, 18, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lynch of Claypool.

Sept. 3, 1987 -- The confession of a 20-year-old Syracuse man that led to his arrest for the 1984 murder of a neighbor woman is being challenged by his attorney.

Robert Earl Hootman II, 231 North St., Syracuse, was charged in May with the Sept. 23, 1984, stabbing death of Barbara Lee Hulley. Hulley died in her apartment next door to where Hootman, who resided with his mother, lived.

Attorney Steven Hearn, during a pre-trial conference last week, requested the evidence Ð the confession Ð be suppressed. A hearing has been scheduled.

Hootman was 17 at the time of the murder, but is being tried as an adult.

Police said Hootman confessed to killing Hulley when she apparently surprised him while he was inside burglarizing her apartment.

Oct. 2, 1987 -- County officials are beginning to discuss expansion of the Kosciusko County Jail --just five years after the completion of the facility.

Constructed along with the justice building at a cost of more than $5.8 million, the jail can accommodate up to 74 inmates. Three weeks ago, the capacity was topped when 76 inmates populated the jail during a two-day period. In recent months, more than 60 people have been housed in the jail during weekends.

In some instances several inmates have had to sleep on mattresses placed on the floor, according to Sheriff Ron Robinson.

Nov. 2, 1987 -- Once again, postal officials will address the issue of local growth by changing the addresses of rural Warsaw residents.

Continued growth will force the Warsaw Post Office to change a majority of addresses for rural Warsaw residents in January, according to Bob Douglas, postmaster at Warsaw. Between 50 and 90 percent of all rural Warsaw addresses could be changed as a result, he said.

The conversion is necessary to meet obligations to mail carriers, which calls for necessary action when maximum delivery levels are reached within individual rural routes.

Plans for the change have already begun and should be completed by mid-February.

Dec. 1, 1987 -- Seven criminal charges, including attempted murder, are being filed against an Ohio man who drove through a police roadblock and critically injured a Warsaw police officer.

Kosciusko County prosecutor Michael Miner made the announcement Monday afternoon of charges against James L. Davis, 36, Louisville, Ohio.

Miner said the attempted murder charge, a Class A felony, was not added until this morning after he had time to consider the charge and the evidence against Davis.

Warsaw police Sgt. Fred Heady, critically injured in the accident on Thanksgiving Day, remains in critical but stable condition at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Heady received massive head injuries and severe lower leg and knee injuries.

Heady, 32, is a 10-year veteran of the Warsaw department. Hospital officials said Heady is still in a coma and doctors are monitoring the swelling in his brain.

Jan. 4, 1988 -- The honor of being the first baby of 1988 at Kosciusko Community Hospital goes to Bryan Michael Bolinger. Bryan was born Jan. 1 at 12:57 a.m. He checked in at 9 pounds, 5-1/2 ounces and was 23-1/4 inches at birth. He is the first child of Monty and Jenni Bolinger, Rt. 8, Warsaw.

Feb. 1, 1988 -- A severe stabbing occurred directly in front of the Warsaw Police Department Saturday night and the weapon was later recovered from the awning of the roof over the department.

Warsaw Fast Cabs owner David Cesaretti, 31, Rt. 6, Columbia City, was listed in serious condition this morning at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He had been stabbed at least three times during the incident.

Police arrested Willie Adams, 35, 423 E. Arthur St., Sunday afternoon. He is being held at the county jail on a preliminary charge of felony battery with a deadly weapon.

March 1, 1988 -- At least four area infants won't be celebrating their first birthday until 1992, having the distinction of being born on leap year day.

Kosciusko Community Hospital reports three girls and a boy were born on the day that comes around only once every four years -- Joshua Paul Stahl, Emily Kunish, Elizabeth Renee Kiser and Ashley Marie McLin.

April 5, 1988 -- Kosciusko County's proposed rural numbering system could be operational by July 1989 and may cost only $34,154.32 to implement.

An outline of the budget plan and a step-by-step process of the implementation plan was presented to the Kosciusko County Commissioners during a regular meeting Monday. The commissioners are expected to make a decision during a meeting Thursday.

May 3, 1988 -- Property along Detroit Street has been purchased by Marsh Supermarkets Inc. in anticipation of purchasing the old freshman high site.

June 2, 1988 -- Occupancy in the Kosciusko County Jail reached a record high last weekend.

Underscoring the need for expansion of the jail, Sheriff Ron Robinson told the county commissioners Wednesday that 79 people were detained in the facility during the Memorial Day weekend. A male juvenile scheduled to serve a weekend sentence was sent home because there was nowhere to place him, Robinson said.

July 1, 1988 -- A unanimous thumbs-up was given to the proposed move of the City/County Athletic Complex by the general board Thursday evening.

The move is coming on the heels of a survey done by Cole and Associates that showed additional space was needed. The move will allow for 32 playing fields now, and room for expansion.

Plans are to locate the complex on a 135-acre tract on Crystal Lake Road. The property is owned by Creighton Brothers and is one mile south of Old Road 30. The original property owners, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Inc. and Forrest and Katie Bouse, also are part of the move.

July 6, 1988 -- There were fireworks exploding in the air as well as on the racetrack Saturday in front of a capacity crowd.

Den England rocketed for his third sprint feature win of the year in his D.J.'s Bar, Kercher Engines No. 84. Butch Boggs, driving Terry's Automotive No. 14, picked up his fifth limited late model feature. And Shane Denny thrilled the crowd as he spun and won for his sixth roadrunner feature win of the season in his No. 58 Green Machine.

Aug. 2, 1988 -- The Marsh Supermarket's case against the Warsaw Community Schools has been moved to Marshall Circuit Court.

The change of venue was granted Friday by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Richard Sand.

A pretrial hearing before Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Michael Cook has been set for 3 p.m. Wednesday at the courthouse in Plymouth.

Marsh is seeking an injunction to block the sale of the old freshman building in downtown Warsaw after the school board voted to sell the building to Zimmer Inc. In its lawsuit, Marsh alleges the auctioning process was unfair.

Sept. 1, 1988 -- A possible conflict of interest has resulted in another change of venue in the lawsuit by Marsh Supermarkets against the Warsaw Community Schools Corp.

The case is now in Fulton Circuit Court, where it was transfered from Marshall County.

The latest change of venue was requested by attorneys for the school system. The case was moved to Marshall Circuit Court in late July on a change of venue from Kosciusko County.

The lawsuit by Marsh alleges that the school system unfairly awarded Zimmer Inc. the rights to purchase the old Freshman school.

Oct. 1, 1988 -- Wawasee homecoming queen Heather deSomer and king Jeff Carey smiled at the crowd after their coronation during halftime of Friday's game.

At Tippecanoe Valley, homecoming king is Chad Brouyette and queen is Sofia Manzaneque.

Nov. 1, 1988 -- DePuy has announced the acquisition of a Swiss orthopedics firm that is expected to benefit their European sales.

James Lent, president of DePuy, said the company had purchased control of Chevalier, a moderate-sized firm in Switzerland. Chevalier manufactures joint replacement products and instruments, and employs about 50 people, he said. A sales price was not released.

Dec. 1, 1988 -- There have been three cases of AIDS reported in Kosciusko County, and 417 in Indiana. The last filed statistics in the state are from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 and there were nine AIDS cases reported. Six of the new victims reported homosexual behavior, two received long-term hemophilia treatment and one is still under investigation.

"But we don't really know how many cases there are in the county," said Myra Alexander, Public Health Specialist for the county. "These are only the reported cases."

Jan. 3, 1989 -- Mark and Linda Darrall, North Manchester, welcomed their son Kevin Lloyd Darrall into the world at 8:13 a.m. Sunday. The first baby born in 1989 at Kosciusko Community Hospital, he weighed 8 pounds, 9-1/2 ounces.

Feb. 1, 1989 -- Although an official offer has not been made, Kosciusko County officials are considering the purchase of the financially troubled fairgrounds.

A county takeover of the 68-acre property north of Winona Lake has been discussed among other options to resolve the fair association's financial woes.

County commissioners and council representatives met in executive session Tuesday. One councilman said talk about acquiring the fairgrounds was the "crux of the meeting," and that little opposition was expressed.

March 2, 1989 -- Harry Krenz, 17, arrested in connection with a stabbing attack on his family, made a list of people he apparently intended to kill, according to Kosciusko County police.

Two lists, with four families' names, were found after the Feb. 18 attacks.

Sheriff Ron Robinson said all the families on the list have been notified and have talked with investigators.

"We found one list in the home and one list in the car," said Robinson.

Robinson said the list simply had the names of people and the word "Die" written beside them. One list also contained certain time elements as to when the actions would allegedly be carried out.

"He apparently was out to kill them," said Robinson.

The Warsaw Community High School senior is being held in the county jail on three charges of attempted murder and three charges of felony battery.

March 2, 1989 -- Marsh official Lennie Hayes said the food chain is negotiating for the old Murphy Medical site and surrounding properties as a back-up location. But he assured that the company is still expecting to win the court case involving the old Freshman High property.

April 5, 1989 -- Beginning April 18, Warsaw area postal customers will be notified of their new rural addresses, officials said Tuesday.

Notifications will be made by both the Kosciusko County rural numbering committee and the Warsaw Post Office. Dual notification is expected to improve awareness of the changes.

The new addresses become effective immediately, but the U.S. Post Office will allow residents, businesses and property owners a 12-month "grace period" to make the change from rural route box numbers to the new numbered addresses.

New addresses will be given to those living in rural areas using rural route box numbers. Those who use city street numbers, which is the case for many residents within the Warsaw city limits, will not be affected.

May 8, 1989 -- The Warsaw Park Department has legally accepted property on Market Street for the future site of a small park.

The property was donated to the city by Dalton Foundries Inc. and Charles H. Ker. The lot is vacant and ready for development, although the board has decided not to do any work on it at this time.

May 8, 1989 -- U.S. navy divers found Air Force 2nd Lt. Sean Murphy's body still in the cockpit of his downed F-15 Eagle jet fighter Saturday afternoon.

Murphy, a 24-year-old Warsaw native, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico a week ago while on a tactical fighting flight mission.

Family members in Warsaw were notified of the accident last Monday and for the past week had been clinging to the hope that he had ejected from the plane and would be found alive.

Murphy and his wife Bev both graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1983 and were living at the Air Force base.

June 1, 1989 -- It's official. Wal-Mart is open. Warsaw store manager Paul Lehotsky cut the ribbon this morning at the new store on U.S. 30E. During the ceremonies, Lehotsky announced a $1,000 donation to Kosciusko County United Way and a $1,100 donation to Kosciusko County Special Olympics.

July 1, 1989 -- A type of spinning fireworks are believed to be the cause of a fire at Reneker's Ski Hut, 606 N. Detroit St., Friday evening.

The fire was reported at about 7:35 p.m. and caused nearly $50,000 in damage to the building and its contents. The east end of the building was gutted entirely by the fire and the store received smoke damage throughout.

Aug. 1, 1989 -- Approximately 170 South Whitley citizens gathered at the South Whitley High School auditorium Monday night to develop new strategies in their fight against the Whitko School BoardÕs plan to build a consolidated middle school near Larwill.

Whitko Parents for Better Education, a newly formed citizens' group spearheaded by ScottÕs Restaurant owner Scott Darley, has hired a Fort Wayne attorney to help them convince the Whitko School Board that building a consolidated middle school is a faulty plan.

Aug. 1, 1989 -- Zach Ferguson was presented a plaque recently for being the top 12-year-old "Spot Shot" in the United States. Terry Woodling, a Program Director at the Baker Boys' Club, presented the award.

Sept. 1, 1989 -- Amidst a storm of controversy, the Whitko Community School Board has taken one more step in the direction of a construction plan.

The board voted unanimously Thursday to hire W.A. Sheets & Sons, a construction management firm out of Fort Wayne. Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Blad recommended the firm be hired on a fixed-fee basis, initially as a time and materials consultant. Then, once a decision is made as to whether to build a new middle school, a new high school, or two separate middle schools, W.A. Sheets will serve as construction manager.

Sept. 1, 1989 -- A man who shot and killed a Nappanee police officer was sentenced to a 110-year prison term Thursday in a plea bargain deal to avoid a death sentence.

Michael R. Steele, 25, admitted shooting Sgt. Brant "Butch" Nine with the officer's own weapon and firing a shot at a second officer, who was not harmed.

The shooting occurred Nov. 3 at East Newcomer and Son Jewelers in downtown Nappanee.

Oct. 5, 1989 -- Warsaw Community Schools teachers moved one step closer to a strike Wednesday.

Warsaw Community Education Association authorized the union's bargaining team to call a strike in the event that an Oct. 12 fact-finding hearing does not produce a contract agreement between WCEA and the school board.

Nov. 3, 1989 -- Warsaw Community Schools teachers seem no closer to a contract settlement with the administration following Thursday's fact-finding hearing, but at least the two sides have eliminated one more step in the negotiating process.

The hearing, which lasted from 6 to 9:30 p.m., took on the aura of a court case as representatives for the Warsaw Community Education Association and the WCS corporation presented their arguments before a state-appointed fact finder, Paul Joray. Teachers have been working without a contract since June 30 and five months of negotiations have failed to produce a contract agreement.

Dec. 1, 1989 -- Work on the Bob Evans restaurant at Center Center Plaza, Warsaw, is now on hold and may remain that way for the next 30 days.

Construction on the bright red building was halted Nov. 16 when officials noticed the ground settling. To get a better handle on the problem, and to investigate what, if anything, needs to be done, laborers were sent off the job. Work was scheduled to start up again early this week, but it didn't happen.

Jan. 6, 1990 -- Veteran Warsaw Judge Gene B. Lee has officially donned his robe for the last time after more than 27 years on state and federal court benches. The judge retired Jan. 1 as federal magistrate for the northern district of Indiana.

Jan. 18, 1990 -- James Kevin Zachary and Marilyn Temple were honored as Warsaw's 1989 "Man and Woman of the Year" during the 78th annual Greater Warsaw Chamber of Commerce banquet at 2517 Restaurant. Zachary is special projects manager at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Inc., and Temple is assistant manager at Warsaw's Detroit Street Pizza Hut.

Jan. 31, 1990 -- There are still no answers as to why Harry Joe Krenz attacked his family with a butcher knife nearly a year ago, but his punishment was set today.

Krenz, now 18 years old, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today by Circuit Court Judge Richard Sand. Krenz pleaded guilty but mentally ill to one count of attempted murder for the Feb. 18, 1989, attack on his parents and younger brother.

Feb. 8, 1990 -- Sgt. David Hudson, a jumpmaster from the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army, spoke about the Panamanian invasion to Professor R. Wayne Snider's history class recently at Grace College.

Hudson, a 1984 graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School, was stationed in Panama from 1985-88. At 2 a.m., Dec. 20, 1989, he "dropped in on Noriega's Kingdom" as part of the military's Operation Just Cause, designed to oust Noriega from Panamanian power and bring him to U.S. soil to be tried on cocaine trafficking charges.

Feb. 12, 1990 -- Police are speculating that the identity of skeletal remains found Saturday night (Feb. 10) along the Eel River bank may be those of Victor Cooley, a 24-year-old Waynedale man who has been missing since Oct. 15, 1988. Cooley was allegedly murdered and his body dumped in the Eel River near Columbia City, but his body was never recovered.

The body's leg bones found near the river were still tied together, according to Kosciusko County Sheriff Ron Robinson.

Feb. 13, 1990 -- Forensic specialists determined the bones found along the banks of the Eel River in Kosciusko County Saturday were the remains of Victor Cooley, who was brutally murdered in Oct. 1988.

Feb. 22, 1990 -- Meenakshi "Meena" Datta became champion of the 1990 Kosciusko County Spelling Bee Wednesday.

A Lincoln Elementary School sixth-grader, Datta took the championship title by spelling "deprecatory" correctly in the 26th round of the final competition. She is the daughter of Jatinder and Gita Datta of Warsaw.

March 3, 1990 -- As we hear it, one of Warsaw's oldest continually operating retail outlets closed over the weekend. The W.R. Thomas department store, along Buffalo Street, has closed its doors. The store opened in 1903.

April 10, 1990 -- An official ground-breaking ceremony was held Monday afternoon for the multi-million dollar Zimmer headquarters building on the old freshman high site.

The three-story facility will be approximately 100,000 square feet and will house more than 200 employees. It was originally expected to cost more than $11 million, but may cost out higher by the time construction is finished in 1992.

May 11, 1990 -- Kosciusko County officials unveiled plans to purchase a large portion of property south of the Justice Building that will significantly reduce cramped jail conditions.

Purchase of three properties --the NIPSCO consumer building, Data Management Inc. and a group of retail stores on the same block owned by George Mann --was announced during a special meeting.

June 2, 1990 -- Marvin McClone, 29, of Burket, is $100,000 richer.

McClone, who works at Cargill Inc., Mentone, won the big bucks by scratching off a lucky Indiana lottery ticket.

July 16, 1990 -- Carrying on what has now become a family tradition, Sheila D'Aun Watts was named Miss Kosciusko 1990 during Saturday's 11th annual pageant.

Watt's sister, Keeley Watts Schafer, won the title in 1987 and went on to finish in the top 10 at the Miss Indiana Pageant in 1988.

Aug. 6, 1990 -- Although the 1990 Kosciusko County Fair officially opens tonight, Shawn Krull and Janet Lynch were crowned the 4-H royal couple Saturday. Krull is the son of Hubert and Beth Krull and Lynch is the daughter of Richard and Betty Lynch.

Sept. 10, 1990 -- Family disputes may have fueled the rage that allegedly led April Laine Thomas, 21, of Etna Green, to set her parents' bed on fire while they were still sleeping in it.

Fortunately Donnabelle Thomas woke up and she and her husband, Russell, escaped their burning bed without injury.

Oct. 2, 1990 -- "Hoosier Sports Heroes," a new anthology of Indiana sports statistics and anecdotes, is being released this month by Guild Press of Indiana. Aside from the names you may recognize on the pages of the book (like Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, Larry Bird and Bobby Knight), the name on the front cover may ring a bell as well.

Dale Ogden, author of the 250-page publication, is a 1971 graduate of Warsaw Community High School.

Oct. 8, 1990 -- Kenny Shepherd, who has more than 20 years of firefighting experience, has been appointed as the new Warsaw Fire Chief effective today.

Nov. 7, 1990 -- The Kosciusko County sheriff's race was dominated by Republican C. Alan Rovenstine.

Rovenstine was elected to the position with 11,457 votes. His opponent, Democrat J.J. Johnson, received 5,209 votes.

Dec. 3, 1990 -- Fire at Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw has put a damper on the facility's holiday activities.

A Sunday morning blaze caused $100,000 damage to the pavilion, forcing city officials to close the building and cancel events scheduled for December.

Jan. 8, 1991 -- "He isn't unwanted --just unexpected."

That summed up the sentiments of William Colton Keel's mother, Kellie, in what was probably one of the biggest understatements ever made. Colton was born Dec. 30, weighing nearly 9 pounds. What made his arrival so unusual was that his mother didn't know she was going to have a baby until 70 minutes before he was born.

Feb. 4, 1991 -- After years of planning, the Senior Opportunity Center is ready to serve the county.

Starting today, an array of activities will be available at the center, in the northern portion of the Pete Thorn building, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.

March 1, 1991 -- Nappanee and Elkhart County police are investigating the murder of a 52-year-old Nappanee woman.

Lorrine Plank, 52, 452 S. Madison St., Nappanee, was found dead in her home. Her husband discovered her body at about 12:13 p.m. Thursday.

March 7, 1991 -- Lorrine Plank's 26-year-old son was arrested Wednesday and charged with murdering his mother.

Roderick Nettrour reportedly told police he became angry with his mother and hit her several times in the face and head, knocking her to the ground. He then reportedly took a pillow from a bedroom in the home and held it over her face until she suffocated.

May 2, 1991 -- Arlyn Reinhard, principal at Whitko High School, has announced the academic leaders of the school's senior class for the 1990-91 school year.

Valedictorian is Gary Chen, son of Charles and Janet Chen, and salutatorian is Sonya Jenkins, the daughter of Robert and Grace Jenkins, all of South Whitley.

June 8, 1991 -- Theft charges have been filled against Jody Plummer, according to Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney Randy Girod.

Plummer, 23, 405 Sycamore St., Silver Lake, was arrested and charged with the theft of funds from the county treasurer's office, where she has been employed for two years. The charge is a Class D felony and is punishable by up to three years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

July 1, 1991 -- The final nights of the 46th annual Mermaid Festival were busy ones with the Queen of Lakes and Cutie King and Queen pageants.

Dawn Burch, of Mentone, and daughter of Dennis and Linda Burch, was crowned Queen of Lakes; Daric Snyder, son of David and Robin Snyder, Leesburg, was named Cutie King, and Cutie Queen was Elizabeth Plank, daughter of Bob and Susie Plank, of Cromwell.

Aug. 5, 1991 -- Shawn Krull, 18, son of Hubert and Beth Krull of Milford, and Dawn Burch, 19, daughter of Dennis and Linda Burch of Mentone, were crowned the 4-H Royal Couple for the Kosciusko County's 75th annual fair.

Warsaw resident Teresa Stephens presented the American flag during opening ceremonies at the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair rodeo. She also competed in the rodeo and was instrumental in securing the shows for the fair.

Aug. 7, 1991 -- Living, learning and excelling on the basketball court have always played an important role in the career of Warsaw native Jeff Grose, and now he is using his basketball background to share some of what he has learned over the years.

Grose, 24, along with his wife Rachel, are in the process of taking a slice of "Hoosier Hysteria" overseas for a series of basketball clinics.

Sept. 6, 1991 -- It's the battle of the ducks versus the swimmers, and right now, the ducks are winning.

Beaches at Pike and Winona lakes were closed Thursday to swimmers under orders of the Kosciusko County Health Department Jon Cupp, chief sanitarian, who said high levels of bacteria in the water, probably caused by duck waste, forced the closure.

Oct. 7, 1991 -- J.C. Stookey and Kathy Haines were crowned king and queen as part of Warsaw's 1991 Homecoming activities Friday night. Warsaw earned a 17-0 victory over Wawasee to cap off the night's activities.

Oct. 8, 1991 -- Biomet executive Dane Miller was one of a few select business leaders who met with President Bush Monday to discuss economic issues.

Miller, along with nine other chief executive officers from top U.S. companies, met with Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle, cabinet members and other economic advisers in a 90-minute informal meeting Monday at the White House.

Nov. 6, 1991 -- Jeff Plank rolled to victory Tuesday night in the Warsaw mayoral race, making him the first mayor in the city's history to be elected to three consecutive terms.

The Republican incumbent defeated Democrat Elaine Bell by gaining 70 percent of the vote.

Dec. 7, 1991 -- "The biggest lie ever fed the American public," is what John Gardner Sr., Winona Lake, calls the theory of a "surprise attack" on Pearl Harbor.

Gardner, a retired Army 1st lieutenant, worked the codes in Operation Intelligence Center during World War II. He believes that the attack was not a surprise at all, but that President Roosevelt knew the Japanese were planning an attack --an attack he allowed because he wanted to go to war with Japan and he didn't want to break his election promise "never to send your boys overseas --unless we are attacked."

Jan. 2, 1992 -- Zachary William Walgamuth was the first baby born in Kosciusko Community Hospital in 1992. The son of Kimberly and John Walgamuth was born at 10:39 p.m. Jan. 1. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and joins a sister, Aubree Ann, age 4. The family lives on East Main Street in Warsaw.

Feb. 5, 1992 -- Mentone farmer Robert Norris and his wife, Wilma, were presented the 1991 Conservation Farmer of the Year award at the annual Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Tuesday.

The Conservation Farmer of the Year award is considered the top SWCD award of the year.

March 17, 1992 -- A Kosciusko County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against a Warsaw nursing home worker who allegedly set a Sept. 25, 1991, fire.

Billie Jo Moore of Columbia City has been charged with arson as a Class A felony for allegedly starting the fire at Prairie View Health Care Center.

April 8, 1992 -- Because of a lack of funds, the Claypool Town Council decided Tuesday to abort plans to replace 45-year-old water mains throughout the town.

May 1, 1992 -- Ten students from Warsaw Community High School competed Saturday in the Indiana Mathematics Contest, sponsored by the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics. For 90 minutes, students answered questions provided by the mathematics departments of four Indiana colleges and universities. Top honors went to Myer Bremer, who scored a nearly perfect test. WCHS students participating in the contest included Jason Stone, Ryan Becker, Preston Baker, Brad Forschner, Matt McClelland, Tim Becker, Anne McLane, Kurt Homburg, Zach Netzler and Bremer.

May 2, 1992 -- Gary and Steve Hawblitzel, members of the Kosco H20 Ski Show Team, have accepted professional show skiing contracts.

After being offered professional show skiing contracts by three different water ski corporations, the Hawblitzels have chosen to accept the opportunity to ski at Marine World Africa USA in Vallejo, Calif.

June 1, 1992 - DePuy Inc. of Warsaw has announced it will enter into an alliance with California-based biotechnology company Genentech Inc.

The two companies will work together to develop orthopedic devices that incorporate use of a protein that is being studied for its potential effects on bone tissue growth and regeneration.

Genentech is in south San Francisco.

July 1, 1992 -- Indiana Bell representative Jim Shaw recently presented a $300 grant for library development to Warsaw Community High School student Jason McKenzie and principal Paul Crousore. The award was given in the name of McKenzie and the other members of the Indiana High School Basketball All-Star Team. It recognizes the link between athletic achievement and academic excellence. Awards totaling $7,800 were given to 25 Indiana high schools. This is the fifth year Indiana Bell has sponsored the awards.

July 2, 1992 -- The little girl who nearly drowned in Center Lake June 14 was reunited Wednesday with the lifeguards credited with saving her life. Dalene Hufziger and Ivy Reed rescued Maria Licet Frega and performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived.

Aug. 1, 1992 -- Chimp's Cards And Comics is now open at 1106 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. The shop offers a complete line of sports cards, comics and related supplies. Owner is Tony Clay.

Aug. 4, 1992 -- Zimmer Inc. recently honored one of the pioneers in orthopedic research.

Dr. Carl T. Brighton, who has spent a lifetime devoted to orthopedic research, was presented with the Distinguished Achievement Award in Toronto recently.

Sept. 3, 1992 -- With the addition of more than 30 inmates to the population of the Kosciusko County Jail Wednesday, Sheriff Al Rovenstine said, "We're past crowded."

Thirty-six people were arrested and booked into the jail early Wednesday morning following a drug bust by area law enforcement agencies that netted suspects from Kosciusko, Noble and Elkhart counties.

Fifteen of those arrested were released from custody after posting bond.

The jail has an official capacity of 65 and, as of this morning, 108 inmates are being housed and fed there. Another 29 people, who are part of the county's work release program, are required to have meals furnished by the jail. Overcrowding has been an ongoing problem at the jail since 1989.

Oct. 1, 1992 -- Whitko's four-member FFA livestock judging team won the Eastern National Livestock Judging contest in Maryland last weekend.

The team is one of five Whitko teams competing nationally this fall. In all, 16 students will be involved in national contests.

The livestock judging team -- Cory Sickafoose, Julie Messmore, Ryan Rhoades, Chris Amburgy and Roger Carr -- competed against 13 teams representing states from the eastern portion of the country.

Nov. 4, 1992 -- Voters in Kosciusko County didn't have any choices in local government elections, but nonetheless turned out in record numbers Tuesday.

Of 32,795 registered voters in the county, 24,977 cast ballots, marking a 76.16 percent turnout.

Dec. 2, 1992 -- Wawasee School Corp. patrons will get another chance to vote for school board candidates in February.

Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Richard Sand made the decision for a new election at Tusday's hearing after listening to evidence concerning the way the ballot was printed, voter instructions and an election resolution.

Sand also ruled that an informal recount of the current cast ballots may be held.

1993 -- Efforts by the new anti-pornography group, Enough is Enough, to eliminate pornographic material from video and book stores caught plenty of people's attention and could play a role in the upcoming election of Kosciusko County's prosecutor.

Interest in the pornography debate was rekindled this summer after a Kosciusko Leadership Academy white paper suggested the rise in local sex crimes is linked to an increased number of explicit films available at video stores.

1993 -- Business growth in the retail sector was a top story. In just one year's time, Marsh Supermarket closed its old store on Market Street and opened a much larger store on South Buffalo Street. Meanwhile, Marsh's competitor, Owen's, announced plans to build a larger store behind its facility on Center Street. The new store will open in 1994.

Business changes also had some downturn. Woodies grocery store closed after many years of business on Lake Street. And Sears closed its downtown store after several decades of business. Later in the year, the company opened a new store in the Marketplace of Warsaw.

1993 -- The two murder cases were chilling.

In one case, 14-year-old Greg Ousely shot and killed his parents on Feb. 27 at their Pierceton home.

The other case involved Michael Ousley (not related), who allegedly shot his wife, Bonnie, at their home north of Warsaw July 12 and then turned the gun on himself. The failed suicide attempt left Ousley seriously disabled. Filing of murder charges was delayed as the county attempted to avoid the extensive medical bills associated with Ousley's injuries.

Both suspects remain in jail. Greg Ousley, now 15, has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6. Michael Ousley is awating trial.

1993 -- Tempers boiled over earlier in December at a public meeting hosted by Indiana Department of Environmental Management, which days earlier announced a $2.8 million fine against G&M Recycling owner Garry Baker for not reducing the tire pile in Atwood quickly enough.

More than 100 people left the meeting still not knowing the fate of the dump that contains several million tires.

1994 -- When David Swearingen killed his two young children and an unarmed sheriff's deputy on the night of June 29, the community faced one of its greatest horrors as people dealt with the shock of the murders and fear of Swearingen remaining on the loose.

The violence began after Kosciusko County sheriff's deputy Phil Hochestetler stopped at Swearingen's home on Clark Street, just a few houses down from his own apartment. The 32-year-old detective was investigating the theft of firearms from a residence, and wanted to talk to Swearingen.

After a short discussion with Hochstetler, Swearingen returned from a room with one of the stolen guns and opened fire --first he shot an unarmed Hochstetler, then redirected his anger at his two children, Casey, 4, and Cody, 18 months, as his wife Le Ann ran into the room from the kitchen. He attempted to fire at Le Ann, but the gun jammed. In frustration, he struck her with the gun, breaking her ribs and fled out the door.

In a matter of minutes, helicopters with searchlights hovered above the Clark Street neighborhood while police on foot searched a thick wooded area near Pike Lake. An intensive search in the immediate area turned up nothing and was the beginning of a two-day hunt for the killer.

Two days later, shortly before sunset, Swearingen was shot down by police after slowly driving through the downtown area in a stolen pickup and firing at police. A short chase ended when Swearingen's truck struck a utility pole at the corner of Detroit and Market streets.

Police quickly returned fire. In the end, more than 30 rounds were exchanged between police and suspect. Swearingen died two hours later at a Fort Wayne hospital.

1994 -- Warsaw banned topless dancing, and several other towns followed suit by establishing similar ordinances. However, North Webster's efforts ran into opposition at CruiserÕs Night Club, which has topless dancing in the upstairs portion of the North Webster tavern. The case is pending in federal court.

1994 -- Garry Baker, owner of the huge tire dump in Atwood, continued to butt heads with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. On Oct. 21, a court order for his arrest was issued after Baker allegedly refused to comply with court orders ceasing movement of tires.

1994 -- The city of Warsaw retooled its plans for sewer construction after an effort to establish a countywide economic development income tax failed. Instead of building a new treatment plant, the city chose to renovate the existing plant.

1994 -- After 34 years of service, Kline's closed its men's and women's clothing stores in downtown Warsaw in December.

1995 -- The deaths of three Dalton Foundries workers following an explosion at the Warsaw plant ranks as the top local story of 1995.

The early morning explosion on June 22 injured 18 workers, three of whom died during the next few days: John Parker, Robert Wells and Terry Wood.

Although some workers complained about conditions at Dalton, many said the potential for such accidents goes hand in hand with that type of work.

The company, which has had a strong worker safety record, was fined $36,375 by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The company also established funds for the victims and their families.

1995 -- The saga involving the Syracuse Police Department continued. Chief Bob Ziller ended 10 years in that position by resigning after the threat of legal action by Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe.

The town initally refused to take action against Ziller, who was accused by fellow officers of urging them not to arrest drunk driving suspects.

Meanwhile, two officers who spoke out against Ziller alleged various efforts by the town to retaliate.

1996 -- The top news story of 1996 was the ongoing tale of the Bicycle Bandit, the assailant who kept Warsaw residents nervous for the entire summer as he casually broke into upward of 70 homes.

In most cases, the assailant --believed to have fled the area --entered many homes that had been left unlocked. Often, the suspect rooted through purses and took only cash.

The common denominator in most cases was the bandit's escape method --use of a bicycle --with fresh tracks in the grass left behind near many of the homes.

On two occasions, he was confronted by residents inside, one of whom included a son of Mayor Jeff Plank. In the other incident, he confronted a woman and punched her in the face.

In November, a possible suspect was confronted by an officer after an alleged break-in. They wrestled briefly, but the suspect got away. Police have not reported any related break-ins since.

1996 -- The Patriots, most of whom live in the Silver Lake area, closely affiliated with the Freemen in Montana, hosted a series of meetings in which they questioned the constitutionality of local control.

A few of the Patriots were arrested when they attempted to pass checks that most banking institutions will not accept.

1996 -- After years of planning and opposition to preliminary plans, Warsaw's library finally began expansion construction. The multi-million dollar project will triple the floor space and should be complete sometime in 1998.

1996 -- Another effort by representatives of the City-County Athletic Complex failed to win any financial support from the county despite a campaign that showed the facility is used by much of the county.

1996 -- Kosciusko County officials struck down for the third consecutive year efforts by area towns to establish an economic development income tax that would be used, in most cases, for sewer expansion.

1996 -- Federal officials, after a lengthy process, chose a site northwest of Warsaw for the new highly sophisticated NEXRAD weather radar system that will serve northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio. The facility won't be operable for at least another year.

1997 -- Winona Lake's restoration project was the top news story of the year.

The massive restoration project, led by town council president Brent Wilcoxson and entrepreneur Dane Miller, spurred debate on several levels. While nobody doubts the project is well intended and will be a major benefit to the town, questions arose regarding Wilcoxson's role since some of the $7 million project has involved town council approval and use of town employees.

1997 -- After 13 years as mayor, Jeff Plank resigned and left office March 1 to join InstruMed, an upstart firm located in Warsaw.

1997 -- Zimmer Inc., the world leader in orthopedic manufacturing, announced layoffs affecting more than 250 Warsaw workers in a move to relocate some of its operations to Puerto Rico.

1997 -- In two incidents, teachers within the Wawasee School Corp. faced allegations of racism. Outrage surfaced last spring when a teacher distributed a quiz packed with racist terminology. Members of the Ku Klux Klan held a rally to support the teacher and were roundly booed by onlookers.

This fall, a teacher accused of making a racist remark in class was forced to retire and then reinstated after the community rallied to her side and accused the school board of overreacting. One board member resigned in protest.

1997 -- First-year fireman Jeff Sammons was killed and two others injured while fighting an Aug. 21 fire that destroyed the Farmer's Exchange, a popular country western bar in Larwill.

1998 -- Brandon Robinson, 18, of 1815 Deer Trail, was initially charged with three counts of driving while intoxicated causing death. He was later charged with three counts of DWI causing death, three counts of reckless homicide and two counts of DWI causing serious bodily injury.

Robinson entered a plea of not guilty.

Robinson was found guilty Nov. 20, 1998, on five drunken driving offenses and acquitted of three reckless homicide charges. The jurors deliberated for nearly six hours.

Kosciusko Superior Court III Judge Joseph Sutton sentenced Robinson to 28 years in prison.

Aaron P. Hatfield, 17, and Tyler Bartley, 12, were in the car Robinson collided with and were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Hatfield's vehicle, Heather Florey, 16, died later at KCH of internal injuries. Tiffany Bartley, 13, and infant Monica Hatfield were airlifted from KCH to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

1998 -- The Kosciusko Community Hospital board of directors decided to sell KCH to Quorum Health Group Inc., based in Brentwood, Tenn. The proposed sale will be final Jan. 1.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to form a foundation promoting health care in Kosciusko County.

1998 -- Johnson & Johnson and DePuy Inc. announced July 21 that Johnson & Johnson would acquire DePuy for $35 a share in a deal valued at $3.5 billion. Johnson & Johnson also entered into an agreement with Roche Holding AG to acquire 84 percent of the outstanding shares of DePuy.

1998 -- The Butterfly and Warsaw Tool Supply were destroyed Sept. 27 in a $1 million fire that took out a quarter block of Warsaw's downtown.

A malfunction in a three-phase breaker panel in The Butterfly's mechanical room was determined the point of origin for the fire.

1998 -- The Warsaw Community Public Library tripled its size with a building project. The grand opening was held Sept. 13. Patrons were taking advantage of the new features months before. The adult section was expanded and more than 400 periodicals, newspapers and magazines are available.

1999 -- Charges in the case involving the Aug. 12, 1996, death of 4-year-old Kaelie Cusick were dismissed earlier this year, and those from the Nov. 23, 1996, death of 7-year-old Anthony Cusick were dismissed the week of Sept. 13. Sherrie Cusick, stepmother of Kaelie and Anthony, was accused of murdering her stepchildren. She and her attorneys held a press conference Sept. 22 "to clear the air and try to remove any tarnish that has been put on (Sherrie's) name."

1999 -- Christopher L. Thompson, 19, was accused in the shooting death of Jamie Sloan, 21, of Warsaw. Thompson, of 306 S. Buffalo St., was taken into custody without incident and reportedly confessed to the murder. Sloan's body was found at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 in a cornfield off CR 800S by a farmer who was harvesting his crop. She was shot in the head.

1999 -- Roy and Barbara Hamer, of Leesburg, were the lucky purchasers of a single winning ticket in the Sept. 18 $41-million Powerball jackpot. They chose the cash option. After taxes, the Hamers received more than $15.4 million.

1999 -- The final numbers are in from the sale of Kosciusko Community Hospital, and the resulting numbers bode well for the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation. With the final accounting from the sale of the hospital and Mason Health Care Facility complete, the Foundation has total assets of $65,715,835.89. The nonprofit organization receives roughly $1 million per month in interest and dividend income.

1999 -- Elder-Beerman officially opened its doors at 9 a.m. Oct. 15. The 56,000-square-foot department store is a prototype concept for the Dayton-based retailer.

1999 -- Warsaw business and government officials joined the leaders from Sofamor-Danek Medtronic Oct. 12 to break ground on their new 150,000-square-foot facility at CR 150W and U.S. 30, Warsaw.

2000 -- On the morning of Sept. 25, police were called to The Cutting Edge, Woodland Plaza, shortly after it opened and found Michael Joseph Beavers, 38, of Dearborn Heights, Mich., dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Beavers reportedly entered the business about 9 a.m. and was inside for approximately 18 minutes before a 911 call was made.

Upon entering the hair salon, Beavers reportedly signed in and asked for a haircut before he ordered the four female employees to lie on the floor and bound their wrists with plastic cable ties. He then allegedly sexually assaulted one of the women and cut another across the chest with a knife.

In addition to the knife, Beavers was armed with a sawed-off .22 caliber bolt-action rifle. After the attack, victims and witnesses said, Beavers placed the gun to his head and killed himself.

2000 -- On June 19, Warsaw City Council unanimously denied Meijer's request to rezone 41.65 acres to special commercial so they could build a store at 900 Husky Trail, along Patterson Road. The Warsaw Plan Commission's unanimous recommendation April 10 to deny the petition foreshadowed the city council's decision.

2000 -- By a vote of 6 to 0 on March 2, the Kosciusko County Council approved a resolution enacting the Economic Development Income Tax at 0.3 percent and raising the County Option Income Tax from 0.6 to 0.7 percent.

EDIT will be distributed on a population basis. It can be used only for capital improvement projects, infrastructure and more permanent structures. The county council had 62 of the 100 income tax council votes needed to pass EDIT.

The county began collecting the tax in July.

2000 -- On Jan. 15, Indiana State Trooper Jason Beal died in a Fort Wayne hospital after being struck by a car Jan. 12 near the intersection of Ind. 14 and CR 700E in southeastern Kosciusko County.

He was hit by a car as he tried to help a tow truck driver get a vehicle out of a ditch.

2000 -- Triad Hospitals Inc. and Quorum Health Groups Inc. jointly announced Oct. 19 they have agreed for Triad to buy Quorum for approximately $2.4 billion in cash, stock and the assumption of debt. Kosciusko Community Hospital is owned by Quorum.

2000 -- Human remains were discovered in a wooded area near Syracuse April 6. The remains were found off CR 1050N on the east side of Lake Wawasee.

The human skeleton was found by mushroom hunters.

The skeleton was later identified as Crystal Gayle Homister, Elkhart County, who was reported missing Jan. 7 by family members.

On Sept. 14, Christoval Dimas, 25, pleaded not guilty to murdering Homister and burning her body.

2001 -- On Oct. 24, tornadoes ripped through Kosciusko County.

Two factories were among the damaged structures in the county, with Da-Lite Screen Co. Inc., Ind. 15N, the hardest hit and R.R. Donnelley & Sons sustaining significant damage to the east plant. At least 14 people were reported injured at Da-Lite.

The American Red Cross said 136 single-family properties were damaged by the tornadoes.

2001 -- According to the Times-Union Jan. 26, police hadn't yet determined the motive for the murder of a Milford woman, but the men arrested in connection with her disappearance are believed to have been operating an auto theft ring. The body of Kathy Vroman, 48, Milford, was located in St. Joseph County, Mich.

Three of the men arrested have already been sentenced on burglary and theft charges, while Jason Fisher, 23, of Millersburg, awaits trial on charges of murder, burglary and theft. He still is in police custody.

Fisher's father, Ralph Freddrick Fisher of Goshen, remains free on bond on a charge of obstruction of justice in connection with the case.

2001 -- Zimmer Inc. celebrated its independent status as a public company in August. The spinoff from Bristol-Myers Squibb was painless and left Zimmer with little debt. The company plans to broaden its base to include pain and blood management, biologicals and devices for spine repair and joints damaged by arthritis. Zimmer management expects revenue growth to be 8 to 11 percent through 2002.

2002 -- Charges against a Warsaw woman were upgraded to murder Oct. 25 and she is being held without bond while awaiting trial. Beatriz Cuautle is alleged to be the mother of an infant that was found dead in a trash can at Kralis Brothers Foods Inc., 2601 S. Tinkey Road, Mentone, where Cuautle apparently gave birth in a bathroom the afternoon of Oct. 21. Cuautle then returned to her job at the chicken processing plant and a janitor found the dead infant.

2002 -- Jason Fisher of Goshen was granted a modification of his prison term and will be allowed to serve the balance in the Elkhart County Work Release Program. Fisher, 24, was sentenced Oct. 10 to four years in prison for burglary and 1-1/2 years for theft, with the terms ordered served concurrently. A charge of murder in the death of Kathy Vroman was dismissed against Fisher April 9. In March, Jason's father, Fred Fisher of Shipshewana, was charged with Vroman's murder but was found not guilty. The charge against Jason was dismissed in exchange for testimony against his father. No other suspects have been named in Vroman's death, which authorities said was linked to a car-theft ring.

2002 -- Federal and state investigators converged upon the Warsaw wastewater treatment facility Oct. 31, arriving soon after the workday began to present an all-encompassing search warrant. All the Warsaw mayor and city attorney can do is guess what the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency have in store. The Warsaw wastewater treatment plant has been hit with a number of violations resulting from a sewage spill into Walnut Creek last summer.

2002 -- Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed rejected all mitigating factors cited and sentenced Christoval Dimas, 27, of Ligonier, to the maximum terms in prison for murder and abuse of a corpse, 65 years and 3 years, respectively. The terms were ordered served consecutively for a total of 68 years. Dimas was convicted March 1 after a five-day trial in the death of 22-year-old Crystal Gayle Homister, Elkhart. Homister's burned remains were previously found near Syracuse.

2002 -- Earlier this year members of the Company A of the 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry, were called to active duty. On Nov. 30, they said farewell to family and friends again at the Armory north of Warsaw.

2003 -- Hundreds of men and women have died during and after the war in Iraq.

One of them was one of Warsaw's own.

Lance Cpl. David Fribley, 26, was killed in action March 23 near An Nasiriyah, Iraq. He was the first Indiana native to die in the conflict.

He was a 1996 Warsaw Community High School graduate and the son of Garry and Linda Fribley, Atwood.

On April 8, in the WCHS Tiger Den, thousands of mourners paid tribute to Fribley during calling and services for the American hero. Displayed near his casket during funeral services was Fribley's Purple Heart.

2003 -- When it comes to long, drawn-out stories that still are without resolution, the issues surrounding Warsaw Community Schools make the grade.

In March, the Warsaw School Board decided that six teachers and the assistant athletic director at WCHS and three elementary school counselors won't have their contracts renewed for the 2003-04 school year.

On May 19, Warsaw School Board members got a look at the additions and renovations planned for the high school. At the same meeting, Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire proposed closing Atwood, Claypool, Jefferson and Silver Lake elementary schools and building two new four-section schools --one to replace Jefferson Elementary and one between Atwood and Leesburg.

After discussion of other alternates and compromises, on Aug. 18 McGuire proposed closing Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake elementaries and moving the students into the remaining Warsaw schools.

On Sept. 15, by a vote of 4 to 2, the Warsaw School Board voted to close them at the end of the 2003-04 school year.

2003 -- David Van Dyke, the former operator of the Warsaw Wastewater Treatment Plant, was put on trial Aug. 18 in U.S. District Court on charges he violated the Clean Water Act with illegal discharges.

Van Dyke was charged in March in a 37-count federal grand jury indictment.

On Aug. 25, Van Dyke filed a guilty plea with the court on three of the 37 counts against him.

Jan. 5, 2004 -- Jeremy and Heide Price, Syracuse, are parents of Brittany Renee Price, the first baby born in 2004 at Kosciusko Community Hospital. She was born at 1:51 p.m. Jan. 2, weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring 20 inches.

Jan. 8, 2004 -- "There's going to be nothing like it," said Grace College and Seminary President Dr. Ron Manahan of a proposed 54,000-square-foot event center. "It will be a shared facility that could be used by the campus, the community and local business."

The college would hold its convocations and chapels there and the facility would be versatile enough to support intercollegiate sports events like basketball and volleyball.

Jan. 22, 2004 -- Nathaniel Fisher's oval-shaped logo has been selected to represent the city of Warsaw.

Fisher's design --marking the city's 150th year --was selected over many others submitted to the community-wide contest.

Fisher, 24, of 5155 N. Bobwhite Drive, Warsaw, recently received a bachelor's degree from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago.

Feb. 3, 2004 -- The former Wal-Mart store building on Warsaw's east side has been purchased by Big R Stores of central Illinois, Mayor Ernie Wiggins announced at the Warsaw City council meeting Monday.

March 22, 2004 -- Warsaw Community High School can claim at least two state runner-up championships this school year.

The first was for girls basketball.

The second came Saturday when the WCHS Percussion Ensemble placed second in the World Concert Class competition at the Indiana State Percussion Associaton state finals at Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis.

WCHS' second place came with two scores of 89.15 each for their performance of "Piano Sonata No. 1."

March 24, 2004 - Chuck and Peg Lawrance received the "Person of the Year" awards Tuesday during the North Webster Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet at the Tippecanoe Lake Country Club.

The couple, owners of Fisherman's Cove and ABC Storage, thanked fellow members for the recognition.

April 2, 2004 -- More than 120 people packed the Justice Building meeting room Thursday to hear The Troyer Group's preference for the Western Alternative Route.

On June 29, The Troyer Group will make their recommendation to the Kosciusko County commissioners.

The route The Troyer Group will propose, according to project manager Steve Benczik, begins at the intersection of Ind. 15 and CR 300S. It then follows the northeast side of the overhead electric transmission line northwest to approximately CR 100S. The proposed route then heads north parallel to CR 350W, crosses U.S. 30 at the abandoned rest stop and then briefly runs along CR 300W. It turns east along CR 400N and reconnects to Ind. 15.

May 14, 2004 -- A Cromwell man fired about 70 shotgun rounds at police officers Thursday night, injuring Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department deputy Jeff Howie.

Robert James Louden, 41, of 9821 E. Rockabye Lane, Cromwell, was arrested without incident, though it took three hours of negotiation before he submitted to police.

May 14, 2004 -- Three Warsaw schools may close after this school year after all.

Thursday, Special Judge Douglas B. Morton granted the Warsaw Community Schools' motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed last fall by Concerned Citizens for Quality Education. That suit asked for an injunction against closing Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake elementary schools.

Warsaw Times Union July 3, 2004

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